Impacts of the Farm to Keiki Program: An Anthropological Evaluation

Native Hawaiian health has been adversely impacted by dietary and cultural changes that resulted from colonization. Farm to Keiki is a farm-to-preschool program that introduces children in Hawai'i to healthy eating through gardening and eating local produce, including traditional Native Hawaiian foods. This study utilized anthropological theory and ethnographic evaluation methods to deepen the understanding of the Farm to Keiki program's impact through interviews with family members and focus groups with teachers at 2 Kamehameha preschools. The results demonstrate that children, families, and teachers learned about plants and healthy eating, and made healthier dietary changes following the program. Additionally, participants described ways in which the program helps bolster Native Hawaiian culture and benefits the local community.