Nutrition Programs
Nutrition Program: What We Teach
Programs for Elementary Youth…
Choose Health, Fun, Food, and Fitness
Kids learn about healthy eating and active play! Youth grades 3-5 participate in interactive activities and active games to help them learn about eating more vegetables and fruits, replacing sweetened drinks with water and low-fat milk, eating more whole grains, and playing actively every day. Kids try a healthy food sample at each lesson. This 6-8 lesson series is offered as an afterschool or summer program.
Show Me Nutrition
Students in grades 1, 2, and 5 learn more about the MyPlate food graphic and how to eat a variety of food from the 5 food groups each day. Through age- appropriate interactive activities and games, kids learn about nutrients their body needs to stay healthy and the best ways to ensure their bodies get those healthy nutrients through foods. Students also learn about the importance of staying physically active. Kids have an opportunity to try new foods at each lesson, such as fruit & veggie taste tests and easy, healthy snacks they can make with their families at home. These 5-8 lesson series are offered during the school day.
Programs for Older Youth…
Teen Cuisine
Teens learn important life skills for optimal health, such as creating a balanced meal based on MyPlate, preparing recipes, handling food/knives safely, and making food and beverage choices by reading nutrition facts labels. Teen participants prepare and taste a healthy recipe at each lesson. This 6-lesson series is available in English or Spanish and is offered in group settings at various community sites.
Around the Table
Teens enjoy hands-on cooking, conversation, and interactive activities that support healthy connections to food, self, and community. This trauma-informed curriculum helps teens learn mindfulness skills and practice mindful eating tips. Participants improve cooking and food resource management skills by preparing a healthy recipe together at each lesson. This 6- lesson series is available in English or Spanish and is offered in group settings at various community sites.
Small Bites
Middle school youth learn about nutrition and healthy eating through hands-on nutrition activities and knife-free cooking. In every lesson, students prepare a healthy snack using recipes that meet the USDA Guidelines and learn about nutrition concepts and food prep skills. This 6-8 lesson series can be offered in-school or afterschool.
Programs for Parents…
Eating Smart & Being Active
Parents learn ways to plan and shop for budget-friendly meals that incorporate fruits, veggies, whole grains and lean protein foods, and stay active as a family. Participants prepare a healthy recipe at each lesson and practice physical activities that are simple to do at home. At the end of the series, participants take home a recipe book and cooking tools. This 7-lesson series is available in English or Spanish and is offered in group settings at various community sites.
Around the Table – Nourishing Families
Parents enjoy conversation and reflection about food and family mealtime practices and learn mindfulness skills to care for their nutritional well-being. Participants prepare a healthy recipe at each lesson and practice mindful eating tips. This 6- lesson series is available in English or Spanish and is offered in group settings at various community sites.
