Taste testing/exposure to foods is an effective research-based strategy. Students are more likely to choose and eat healthy foods if they taste test foods and/or prepare them. There may be barriers to providing taste testing in some locations such as schools, therefore, there is some flexibility regarding providing taste testing. At a minimum, each NPA is responsible for submitting 3 different taste testing evaluation forms a year. If some barriers exist, try to address some of the barriers before abandoning this effective strategy. If schools only allow prepackaged food, consider providing it. Prepackaged food is more expensive but unit budgets can cover these expenses if costs are added to their budget. Although taste testing is not required in every lesson, consider minimal or no preparation options that would allow food taste testing to be part of the lesson.

If cost is an issue and your budget does not allow extensive taste testing and the school has funds and requests taste testing in each lesson, then they could be asked to provide the food. The dollars they spend on this food can be matched.