Farm to Preschool Programs and Its Impact on Children’s Dietary Health: Evaluation Through Bronfenbrenner’s Socio-Ecological Model

ABSTRACT

Children’s development is shaped by the world around them. According to Bronfenbrenner’s theory, children are influenced by direct interactions and the broader environment, which includes family, community, and society. This concept aligns with initiatives like farm-to-preschool programs. These programs forge connections between communities and local food sources, introducing gardening and nutritional education. This approach aligns seamlessly with Bronfenbrenner’s theory, creating a multi-layered learning experience and fostering children’s healthier eating habits. This review delves into how farm-to-preschool efforts enhance young children’s diets through the ecological model evaluation framework, encompassing health, education, economics, and the environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Dietary intake
• ecological systems theory
• farm to preschool
• preschool children
• socio-ecological model

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.