Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Preferences Associated with the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (2014-2016).

PURPOSE: To examine overall usual fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and preferences among grade 5-8 students participating in the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program (NFVP) over 3 years (2014-2016).

METHODS: In each year, a survey was administered 4 months into the NFVP in Northern Ontario, Canada.

RESULTS: A total of 4744 students participated (2014 = 1551; 2015 = 1617; 2016 = 1576). Overall usual FV intake did not change over the 3 years, yet preferences generally increased. FVs offered by the NFVP were rated higher on preference than those not offered (fruit P < 0.001; vegetables P < 0.005). In each year, participants were more likely to consume a higher overall usual fruit intake if they had higher preference for fruit as offered by the NFVP (all P < 0.05) as opposed to not offered by the NFVP (all P > 0.05). For vegetables, participants were more likely to consume higher overall usual vegetables if they had a higher preference for vegetables as offered (all P < 0.05) and not offered by the NFVP (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study documented that higher preferences for fruit (as offered) and vegetables (as offered and not offered) were associated with higher overall usual FV intakes within each of the 3 years.