Project aims to grow local farms, shrink childhood obesity

Cornell nutritional scientists, supported by a grant announced March 26 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plan to test a recipe to lower childhood obesity while boosting the bottom line for farmers. The multistate project, funded at $1 million this year and expected to total $5 million over five years, seeks to increase access to fresh produce for low-income families by subsidizing community-supported agriculture (CSA) shares and offering a nutrition education program focused on preparation of seasonal crops. Researchers will examine whether the intervention helps low-income children, who are at the highest risk for obesity, to eat more nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables instead of energy-dense foods and beverages. More than one-third of U.S. youth are overweight or obese, and Americans consume only half of the USDA recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Lowering barriers to CSAs, said principal investigator Rebecca Seguin, assistant professor in the Division of Nutritional Sciences, could improve eating behaviors, particularly once families gain the knowledge and confidence to cook with fresh produce. Furthermore, research suggests that CSAs, of which there are about 4,000 nationwide, could be more profitable for smaller-sized farms compared with traditional distribution methods. "This innovative project will generate new knowledge about creating sustainable changes in the local food environment that increase access to healthier foods for low-income families as well as prompt behavioral changes that will help prevent childhood obesity," Seguin said.