Combining realism with rigour: evaluation of a national kitchen garden program in Australian primary schools

Authors

Heather Yeatman, University of WollongongFollow
Karen Quinsey, University of WollongongFollow
James Dawber, University of WollongongFollow
Wendy S. Nielsen, University of WollongongFollow
Deanne Condon-Paoloni, University of WollongongFollow
Simon Eckermann, University of WollongongFollow
Darcy Morris, University of WollongongFollow
Pamela Grootemaat, University of WollongongFollow
David Fildes, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

91178

Publication Details

H. Yeatman, K. Quinsey, J. Dawber, W. Nielsen, D. Condon-Paoloni, S. Eckermann, D. Morris, P. Grootemaat & D. Fildes, "Combining realism with rigour: evaluation of a national kitchen garden program in Australian primary schools", Evaluation Journal of Australasia 14 2 (2014) 17-24.

Link to publisher version (URL)

Evaluation Journal of Australasia

Abstract

School garden and kitchen-based activities have potential as health-promoting school initiatives but lack well-designed evaluation frameworks. This article outlines an evaluation of a national kitchen garden program conducted in Australian primary schools. The aim was to evaluate the implementation and impact of a national garden and kitchen program in Australia, including child and health-related impacts of the program, and program implementation factors. The evaluation was undertaken using a multi-component, hierarchical evaluation framework that incorporated a modified case-control design and mixed methods. A cross-section of initiative (N=28) and comparison (N=14) schools was included.