Community Success Stories
A formal and rigorous evaluation of the Colour It Up: 5 -10 a day your way (Colour It Up) has demonstrated the success of this vegetable and fruit behavioural intervention program.
In fact, total vegetable and fruit consumption of the pilot program participants INCREASED THREE-FOLD from expected results from the literature. Both program participants and facilitators had lots of positive feedback about the Colour It Up program. Here is a collection of their thoughts and stories:
Program Participants »
Dawn's Story: 3 Peppers for $1
Dawn has literally changed her eating and shopping habits after participating in the Colour It Up program.
During the program, her weekly goal was to buy a brand new vegetable. One week, it was turnips. Next it was kohlrabi. She now aims to have 9 servings of vegetables and fruit every day. Dawn makes the recipes from the Colour It Up binder regularly, both for her family and in her job as a chef at a women's shelter.
Living with diabetes, Dawn knows the importance of healthy eating. "It's because of the Colour It Up program that I've eaten more vegetables, lost weight, changed my eating habits and provided my family with more veggies and fruit."
"I shop differently now and more economically too," Dawn boasts. "At my neighbourhood market, I got 3 peppers for $1 a red one, an orange one and a green one! They go for $3.49/lb in the grocery store."
“Before, I used to crave carbohydrates and protein, now I crave fruits and vegetables. I can't wait to have a salad! - Dawn”
Irene's Story: Pork Chops & Bananas
Getting her four kids to eat properly was a task for Irene. She wanted to learn different ways to convince them to eat more vegetables and fruit. And did she ever!
"In the Colour It Up program, I learned so many new things different ways of cooking, new recipes and even some myths around fresh, frozen and canned vegetables."
Variety was another big learning lesson for Irene. She now serves a variety of vegetables and fruit and feels ok about straying away from the conventional.
“ Instead of applesauce, my kids eat bananas with their pork chops, but hey whatever! It was great listening to the other women there too. - Irene”
Facilitators »
Positive impact of the Colour It Up program 2 years later
- About 1.5 years after the Colour It Up pilot program, I sat down with a few of the participants who were now at a breakfast program. We started talking about juice. One of the women recollected the discussion from the Colour It Up program regarding 100% juice versus drink. She also mentioned that she really tries to make sure that her daughter eats more vegetables and fruit.
- One client who took the Colour It Up program was attending a recent grocery store tour with me. When another women asked about pesticides, the client cited the answer from the Colour It Up program.
- When I was at the high school, where one of the program participants works, I saw her co-workers walking around with recipes from the Colour It Up binder.
- When I 'spy' on participants in the grocery store, I see them with their grocery carts filled with vegetables and fruit.
- With heart health funding, we're offering the Colour It Up program again and partnering with other organizations.
“I'm really delighted to see the results of the Colour It Up evaluation and see the program take off in Ontario. It was really cool to be a part of something so successful! - Colour It Up program facilitator”
Positive impact of Colour It Up program on host agency
- Brought new community members to the health centre
- Extended reach of the centre
- Provided an opportunity to connect with different multicultural groups
- Increased awareness of what the centre offers
- Women left with a positive view of the health unit
- Improved partnerships with the local grocery store they brought in more fruits and veggies
“Participants liked the fact that the program was related to changing their behaviour. Colour It Up fits well with our mandate. It's a great program! - Colour It Up program facilitator”
