Project Strength

Key Findings From FY16 Evaluation

Harvesters’ Healthy Eating Initiative includes the Project Strength program to help adults create healthy meals with limited resources, plan meals and comparison shop.  Project Strength is a 6-week nutrition class.  Class participants receive important information for their health, hands-on cooking instruction, and a free bag of groceries to take home.  Each class provides a forum for social interaction, inspiration and problem-solving.
 
Harvesters consulted with Kansas City Area Education Research Consortium to evaluate the effectiveness of Project Strength.  Key findings from FY16 Project Strength evaluation include the following: 

• 43 percent of participants increased their fruit and vegetable consumption

• 45 percent reduced their consumption of sugary beverages

• 38 percent increased their daily water intake

• 44 percent increased reading nutrition labels

• 51 percent increased looking for whole grain products

• 48 percent increased looking for low-fat dairy products

• 93 percent of participants met either an eating or activity goal in Project Strength

• 90 percent changed something about the way they eat because of Project Strength

• 41 percent increased their comfort level with cooking healthfully because of Project Strength

 
During FY16, classes were offered at 25 sites in both the Kansas City and Topeka area. In total, 459 participants participated in Project Strength classes.