Given this dramatic increase in childhood obesity, there is a need for innovative methods that motivate children to develop life-long nutritious eating habits. Research shows that when children cultivate a school-based garden, they recognize more fruits and vegetables and will choose them more frequently over less healthy eating choices.

And so at Keene State College, the nutrition and early childhood faculty collaborated to develop the innovative 24-week Early Sprouts Program. It is a research-based nutrition and gardening curriculum for the preschool years. The curriculum provides a “seed-to-table” exposure to fruits and vegetables. The program scope includes raised organic garden beds, sensory experiences, and cooking activities … a take-home kit including recipes and all needed ingredients … and training and support for classroom teachers and families.

The project began at the Keene State College Child Development Center (CDC) in 2006 as the brainchild of Dr. Karrie Kalich, Assistant Professor of Health Science at Keene State College. Throughout 2006-7, Early Sprouts was pilot tested in two CDC classrooms with feedback invited from teachers, parents and children. The program was adopted by eight Head Start classrooms in southern NH and two classrooms at the Children’s Learning Center at Cheshire Medical Center Keene during 2007-8 and the impact of the program is being assessed.

A Monadnock Region grant award of $14,000 supported year one of this innovative program. “We were pleased to support Early Sprouts which addresses several key priorities for our grantmaking: supporting preventive actions that address root causes; improving connections and cooperation between nonprofits to address community needs (i.e., Keene State and local Head Starts); partnering with other local funders, such as Hannaford’s, Cheshire Medical Center and Monadnock United Way, enabling us all to further leverage our support dollars,” says Beth Healy, Senior Foundation Officer for the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

Much more is going on in the Monadnock Region and statewide to address this critical issue. At Cheshire Medical Center Keene, the Advocates for Healthy Youth (AFHY) coalition is working with local communities to address childhood obesity. And at the Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough, efforts are underway to expand their successful Monadnock Healthy Teeth Program to the Well Child Program for a more holistic approach to child and family health, which will include screening for childhood obesity.

Selected text excerpted from the Keene State College Early Sprouts Garden Project brochure.