A cafeteria-based tasting program increased liking of fruits and vegetables by lower, middle and upper elementary school-age children

This study aimed to increase 1st, 3rd. and 5th grade children's liking for fruits and vegetables by offering repeated opportunities to taste selected items. Tastes of four fruits or four vegetables were offered to children (51% boys: 32% 1st graders and 34% 3rd graders) on alternate weeks for 8 weeks. Two-week follow-up tastings occurred 4 months and 10 months post-intervention. Children who began the program disliking the targeted fruits and vegetables improved liking for all items after 8 weeks and maintained higher scores at both follow-up assessments. Grade and gender differences in liking were observed but were not consistent at each time point. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.