Microgreens Nutrition Outreach: A Novel Tool for Community-Wide Dietary Disease Prevention

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate how microgreens educational programming impacts the relationship between nutrition attitudes and healthy eating habits. Methods: A three-part workshop in Philadelphia, PA that consisted of a pre-survey, presentation, and microgreens kit assembly session was held. A post-survey was distributed electronically 1 week after the event. Results: 9 participants voluntarily attended the workshop and completed the pre-survey, and one-third of the participants submitted post-survey feedback. Participants were middle-aged, Black women from the Allegheny West neighborhood of Philadelphia, a predominantly (97.5%) Black neighborhood. The survey showed microgreens were well-received and suited for urban communities with little space and cold weather. Microgreens garnered interest in trying new vegetables and growing fresh foods. Conclusions: Microgreens outreach serves as a novel, low-cost, sustainable tool that can effectively educate about nutrition and encourage healthy dietary habits.