Community Action Services and Food Bank BackPack Program Report BY Minhee Kang Rachel Bradley Ellie Stanger Larlee Jensen (Under Direction of Rickelle Richards, PhD, MPH, RD) Brigham Young University Department of Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science Summer 2013
Introduction This report compares the cost and nutrition of the BackPack Program currently used by the Community Action Services and Food Bank and provides three different options that are more nutritionally balanced and lower in cost than the current program. We looked at the current program, conducted a taste panel to assess the likeability of the current BackPack Program food items, the cost for each package, and the nutritional content of the current package. In the report, we show the nutrient analysis for three new BackPack Program package options and the price for each package. We also included results from the test panel and some general guidelines of what children should be receiving nutritionally each day. 1
Current Food Package The current package consists of the following items: Capri Sun Fruit Snacks Mac and Cheese Fruit Cup Fruit and Grain Bar Peanut Butter Crackers Taste Panel of Current Package The taste panel consisted of elementary age students who were part of an after school program and included children from lower income families. Some children were invited to come and sample the items from the BackPack Program and were asked to rate the food using a scale that ranged from good to poor (Figure 1). A majority of the children thought the items they tasted were good (Graphs 1-5). This most likely means that the children would eat any of the snacks offered in the current BackPack Program. Figure 1 2
Results of the Survey Graph 1: Fruit Snack Fruit Snack Fair 10% Poor 25% Good 65% Graph 2: Fruit cup Fair 7.5% Poor 7.5% Fruit cup Good 85.% 3
Graph 3: Granola Bar Granola Bar Fair 28% Poor 11% Good 61% Graph 4: Capri Sun Capri Sun Fair 7% Poor 12% Good 79% 4
Graph 5: Peanut Butter & Crackers Peanut Butter & Crackers Fair 6% Poor 12% Good 72% Conclusion Overall, it appears that the kids enjoyed most of the foods that were provided. We anticipate that if we provide healthy snacks that are generally accepted by kids, then most kids will enjoy them. 5
Single-Item Replacements for Current Package Capri sun -> 100% juice (juicy juice), milk cartons Fruit Snacks > raisins, pudding cups Mac and cheese > Oatmeal packets, graham crackers, Fruit cup > applesauce, whole fruit, fruit leathers Fig newton > eliminate, cereal packets, popcorn Peanut butter crackers Recommended Foods General recommendation for School-Aged Children Whole Grain foods: On food labels, look for a whole grain (such as whole wheat, brown rice, or whole oats) as the first ingredient Calcium Rich Foods: o Stick to fat-free or low-fat milk o Other great options are low-fat yogurt and/or cheese. Fruits: o fruits can be fresh, frozen, canned, or dried (watch out for added sugar to canned, frozen, and dried fruits) o 100% juice is also a great option Foods Not Recommended High-fat foods: avoid foods with more than 30% of calories from fat. o Read the Nutrition Facts Label on foods to determine the percentage of calories from fat. Foods that cause dental caries: Avoid carbonated soda, gum, hard candies, and jelly beans Sugar-sweetened beverages: These drinks fill children up without providing calcium or other healthy nutrients 6
New Food Package Options Here are three new food package options that are more cost effective and meet more of the Daily Values.We will compare the nutrient analysis and cost for these new food packages to the current package. Food Package Option 1: Great Value Oatmeal Minute Maid 100% apple and white grape juice Great Value soup Fruit Leather Great Value Snack Pack pudding Austin peanut butter crackers Food Package Option 2: Great Value Oatmeal Minute Maid 100% apple and white grape juice Welch s Fruit snacks Kraft Mac n cheese Applesauce Great Value Austin peanut butter crackers Food Package Option 3: Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli (pop top) Minute Maid 100% apple and white grape juice Great Value Snack Pack pudding Great Value Fruit and Grain Bar Great Value Oatmeal Great Value 90 Cal chocolate chunk granola bar 7
Nutrient Analysis Current Package Compared to New Food Package Options We realize that the packets of food used for this BackPack Program are mainly used to supplement meals. Therefore, it is not expected that the snacks meet all of the recommended Daily Values and RDA s. Yet, it is still important that the foods the children receive provide them a substantial amount of nutrition, especially during this crucial stage of growth and development. Nutrient, Vitamin, or Mineral Calories - The body and brain s main source of energy Protein - The building blocks of growth and development Fat - plays a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating body organs against shock, maintaining body temperature, and promoting healthy cell function Vitamin A - Necessary for numerous reasons, including good vision, proper growth, and a healthy immune system Vitamin C - An important antioxidant that is necessary for cell synthesis Calcium - Important for excellent bone and teeth formation, as well as a working metabolism Iron - Helps carry iron throughout the body and maintain energy B Vitamins - Their roles vary and help maintain a healthy nutritional status. Current Package Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Suggestions ~800 calories 802 Calories 808 Calories 860 Calories Include regular granola bars, oatmeal packets, and other grains ~13g ~19g ~15g ~18g Include peanut butter packets, beef jerky, and trail mix. ~15g ~22g ~15g ~20g Include peanut butter, nuts, full-fat granola bars <15% of DV 200% of DV 45% of DV 30% of DV Include fortified products such as milk cartons and cereals 100% of DV 133% of DV 200% of DV 133% of DV Not all fruit snacks contain 100% DV, so continue to use the Mott s brand 25% of DV 35% of DV 28% of DV 39% of DV Include milk cartons, calcium fortified juices, or pudding 15% of DV 55% of DV 34% of DV 59% of DV Include fortified products such as milk cartons and cereals, as well as beef jerky or other dried meats <15% of DV <15% of DV <15% of DV <15% of DV Include fortified products such as cereals 8
Cost Analysis of Current Package vs. New Food Package Options Cost Analysis of Current Food Package Current option Price Capri sun $0.22 Fruit snacks $0.34 Peanut butter & crackers $0.29 Fruit Cup $0.45 Mac n cheese $1.13 Granola bar $0.17 Fig newton $0.61 Total $3.21 9
All prices were taken from Walmart *Calcium fortified Cost Analysis of New Food Package Options Option 1 Pack Size Price Price per Individual Container Great Value Oatmeal 12 pack $1.68 $0.14 Minute Maid 100% apple and 10 pack $2.98 $0.30 white grape juice* Great Value soup 10.5 oz. $1.25 $1.25 Fruit Leather 1 leather $0.48 $0.48 Great Value Snack Pack 12 pack $2.98 $0.25 pudding* Austin peanut butter crackers 12 pack $2.50 $0.21 Total $2.63 Option 2 Pack Size Price Price per Individual Container Great Value Oatmeal 12 pack $1.68 $0.14 Minute Maid 100% apple and 10 pack $2.98 $0.30 white grape juice* Welch s Fruit snacks 22 pack $3.98 $0.18 Kraft Mac n cheese 6 pack $2.98 $0.50 Applesauce Great Value 6 pack $1.82 $0.30 Austin peanut butter crackers 12 pack $2.50 $0.21 Total $1.63 Option 3 Pack Size Price Price Per Individual Container Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli 7.5 oz $0.62 $0.62 (pop top) Minute Maid 100% apple and 10 pack $2.98 $0.30 white grape juice* Great Value Snack Pack 12 pack $2.98 $0.25 pudding* Great Value 8 pack $2.00 $0.25 Fruit and Grain bar Great Value Oatmeal 12 pack $1.68 $0.14 Great Value 90 Cal chocolate 18 pack $2.98 $0.17 chunk granola bar Total $1.73 10