TSET HYI’s Swap Up Day

On April 9, 2025, the TSET Healthy Youth Initiative’s (HYI) Swap Up campaign launched a statewide Day of Action to encourage healthier snack choices among Oklahoma teens. With 86 host sites across schools and community organizations, the event engaged over 20,000 students through a creative, interactive experience called the Swap Up Café. Instead of ordering food, teens “ordered” how they wanted to feel (such as energized, focused or happy) and were served snacks scientifically shown to elicit those moods.
The Swap Up campaign was born out of research into Oklahoma teens' eating habits and barriers to healthier choices. It identified that short-term, relatable benefits—such as improved sports performance or better mood—resonated more than long-term health risks. That insight shaped this event's concept and messaging. Each host site received a fully stocked “Event in a Box” including branded signage, educational materials and giveaways like magnets, water bottles and an origami game designed to reinforce nutrition tips. A custom microsite provided event resources, a digital learning experience for teens and an interactive map of all event locations.
With no paid advertising, outreach was conducted through direct contact with school principals and the TSET HYI’s Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), resulting in high engagement and enthusiastic participation. Hosts were also given $100 gift cards to purchase healthy snacks locally, ensuring cultural and geographic relevance—even in food deserts. This highly coordinated event demonstrated that small, realistic changes—like choosing a healthier snack—can feel empowering, accessible and even fun. The Swap Up Day of Action successfully brought meaningful, science-backed messaging to Oklahoma teens in a way that stuck with them.