Eat Your Way to Better Health is a comprehensive, coordinated state program in conjunction with Purdue University Extension and the Indiana State Department of Health. The project’s objectives are to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, increase gardening skills and help students learn science, horticulture, and environmental awareness. This is accomplished through the implementation of school gardens with a corresponding nutrition curriculum.

In fall 2008, 22 Indiana counties are involved with the Eat Your Way to Better Health program. A variety of county Extension educators and volunteers are participating in the program. Educators spent the summer working with local schools to create garden plots so that when students return to school in August they could plant gardens with fall crops. Using the Junior Master Gardener "Health and Nutrition from the Garden" curriculum, Extension eductors are visiting classrooms to teach students how to grow fruits and vegetables at home or in a community garden and are sharing information on health, nutrition, and food safety.

In addition, three Indiana elementary school were given equipment to initiate a school salad bar. Extension educators are working with foodservice directors to provide students with fresh produce at mealtimes as well as educational materials to take home and share with families.