This program is for families with low income who are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called food stamps).

Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables (JSY), a community-based nutrition education program, is designed to promote nutritious food choices, maximize healthy-food budget spending, help prevent obesity, and reduce risks for chronic health problems often associated with weight issues.

No peer-reviewed publications evaluating the effectiveness of this program were located.

The JSY program encourages participants to consume more fruits and vegetables and learn to maximize their food budgets. Nutritionists work with regional food banks, pantries, and other community-based organizations to arrange and implement interactive nutrition education workshops and include the following activities:

• Brief nutrition education lessons;
• On-site cooking demonstrations;
• Free samples;
• Free recipes and nutrition handouts; and
• Free giveaways, such as measuring cups, cutting boards, vegetable scrub brushes, and peelers.

Lesson plans address three core topics:

• Improve dietary quality by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption;
• Safely handle and prepare fruits and vegetables; and
• Shop for fruits and vegetables in a cost-efficient manner.

Group discussions supplement workshops and include the following topics: improving dietary quality, budgeting food dollars, handling food safely, making healthy food choices, cooking with beans, appreciating the benefits of fiber, planning healthy meals, understanding nutrition labels, and preparing healthy portion sizes. Anticipated outcomes for lessons include the following: eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products; prepare JSY recipes at home; and learn new information on how to prepare fruits and vegetables.

Participants must apply for SNAP, and when they are approved, they receive an EBT card they can use like a debit card to buy food at supermarkets, corner stores, and farmers markets.

The JSY program was created in 1997. Since then, nutrition education services have been provided in every county of New York State. From 2010 to 2011, the JSY program educated about 14,300 participants at 1,123 workshops. The JSY program reaches approximately 40,000 eligible persons and families each year.

No training is required; the JSY program is implemented by JSY professional nutritionists.

Considerations for implementing this program include finding appropriate meeting space with access to basic kitchen appliances for food preparation, understanding the program is only currently available in New York state, and finding nutritionists to implement program activities.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing the JSY program, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Workshops last about 1 hour.

Implementation materials, which include lessons, sample foods, recipes, nutrition handouts, and gifts, are provided by JSY for free.

To move the JSY program to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least one year from the beginning of the program or at least six months from program completion.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact JSY by visiting https://jsyfruitveggies.org/contact-us/

https://jsyfruitveggies.org/