The USDA Food and Nutrition Service in collaboration with stakeholders developed a set of 16 emotion-based nutrition messages and related content designed specifically for low-income mothers and children. The consumer tested messages and supporting content can facilitate development of new material and can enhance current theory-based interventions as well as education and counseling programs. These resources also include supporting content that provides motivational and easy-to-use tips for putting the messages into practice.

There are seven messages for mothers of preschool-age children and five for mothers of elementary school-age children. Messages for mothers address: maternal modeling of fruit and vegetable consumption; making fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk available and accessible in the home; cooking and eating together; introducing new foods; and letting children self-serve at meals. Five messages for 8- to 10-year-old children reinforce the messages for mothers and endeavor to influence food preferences, beliefs and asking behaviors of kids.

The implementation booklet provides guidance on how to use the messages in theory-based interventions, information on cultural relevance, selecting communication channels and applications for Federal nutrition assistance programs. The collaborative development process together with extensive consumers testing (in eight states) resulted in messages that are clear, realistic and compelling. Programs and groups working with low-income audiences will find these useful resources here.

USDA is currently expanding the messages and supporting content to include new messages addressing whole grain foods, fat free and 1% fat milk, and testing photos to support the messages.  The new resources will be available later this year.  For more information, contact Judy.Wilson@fns.usda.gov.