**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE HARVESTING HEALTHY HABITS IN LONG BEACH PROJECT AIMS TO IMPROVE EATING PATTERNS TO PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES AND INCREASE FOOD ACCESS AMONG UNDERSERVED ETHNIC/MINORITY CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH A NUTRITION AND GARDENING INTERVENTION. THE PROJECT HAS FIVE GOALS: 1) EDUCATION - INCREASE THE POOL OF QUALIFIED HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE TO PREVENT CHRONIC DISEASES AMONG UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES; 2) EXTENSION - ENGAGE COMMUNITY AND UNIVERSITY STAKEHOLDERS IN THE DESIGN, TESTING, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERVENTION AND THE DESIGN OF STUDENT TRAINING ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE RELEVANCE TO THE PRIORITY POPULATIONS; 3) RESEARCH - EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE INTERVENTION IN IMPROVING EATING PATTERNS AMONG UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN GRADES 3 TO 5; 4) EXTENSION - STRENGTHEN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES THROUGH ENGAGEMENT OF RESEARCH PARTICIPANT'S FAMILIES IN INTERVENTION ACTIVITIES; AND 5) EXTENSION- IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITIONAL HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PROJECT GOALS WILL BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH A COLLABORATION BETWEEN A UNIVERSITY-BASED RESEARCH CENTER AND A COMMUNITY-BASED GARDEN WITH ALL ACTIVITIES INFORMED BY A COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD OF STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THE PROPOSED INTERVENTION WILL BE DEVELOPED BASED ON PRIOR RESEARCH AND THE SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY OF BEHAVIOR CHANGE. RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ACTIVITIES WILL RESULT IN INCREASED KNOWLEDGE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND SKILLS TO IMPROVE EATING HABITS AMONG UNDERSERVED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THROUGH EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS WILL GAIN VALUABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE OR GRADUATE SCHOOL. RESULTS, BEST PRACTICES, AND LESSONS LEARNED WILL BE DISSEMINATED TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, RESEARCHERS, AND UNIVERSITIES TO PROMOTE REPLICATION.