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The Douglas County OSU Extension Services nutrition education program is in full swing, thanks in great part to the partnership set up with Mercy Foundation. Through Mercy Foundation's Healthy Kid Outreach program, there are three nurses who visit a number of local schools to help increase students' knowledge on health. After meeting with Mercy Foundation Healthy Kid Outreach Program, we realized we could partner together to maximize our resources for the children of Douglas County.
The Oregon Family Nutrition Program focuses on teaching students how to use MyPyramid to make smart choices every day, such as knowing how much of each food group to eat. The program also shows them the practical application of creating food items that are nutritious.
Key messages shared with the students are: vary your veggies, focus on fruits, make half your grains whole, breakfast makes better brains, and handle food safely by washing your hands. Each lesson incorporates hands-on activities with discussion on the topic of the day. Almost all of the lessons are conducted through the Extension service nutrition education program. We end each class with a food activity that applies what students have learned in the lesson that day.
For example, a sixth-grade lesson teaches students about the five different groups of vegetables. Children end the lesson with a rainbow veggie pocket that is stuffed with at least three colors of vegetables.
Through the Mercy Foundation partnership, Oregon Family Nutrition Program has started a six-week series of nutrition lessons with nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. So far just a few classes have completed the series. The rest of the class should be completing the series by the end of January.
Mercy Foundation nurses have continued to increase students' knowledge on health. Through the partnership with OSU Extension service, nurses have been able to add a food element to the classroom. Teachers have informed us that their students have reported trying new fruits and vegetables because of the lessons, and they all agree that the food activity is their favorite part.
In fourth grade, the students get to try a carrot jicama orange salad after learning about the nutritional value of carrots. For many children, it's the first time they've tried jicama, a vegetable, and they have really liked it. To make this recipe at home, go to http://healthyrecipes.oregonstate.edu/. This Web site has many great recipes we use in class.
After each lesson, a handout is sent home to parents telling them about what their children have been learning in nutrition. The hope is that the information is shared with the whole family so that everyone can benefit from the increased knowledge on nutrition. This partnership has capitalized on the effort of Oregon Family Nutrition Program by reaching more families with nutrition education.
Mandy Hatfield is the Nutrition Education Program instructor for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at mandy.hatfield@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 672-4461.
The Oregon Family Nutrition Program focuses on teaching students how to use MyPyramid to make smart choices every day, such as knowing how much of each food group to eat. The program also shows them the practical application of creating food items that are nutritious.
Key messages shared with the students are: vary your veggies, focus on fruits, make half your grains whole, breakfast makes better brains, and handle food safely by washing your hands. Each lesson incorporates hands-on activities with discussion on the topic of the day. Almost all of the lessons are conducted through the Extension service nutrition education program. We end each class with a food activity that applies what students have learned in the lesson that day.
For example, a sixth-grade lesson teaches students about the five different groups of vegetables. Children end the lesson with a rainbow veggie pocket that is stuffed with at least three colors of vegetables.
Through the Mercy Foundation partnership, Oregon Family Nutrition Program has started a six-week series of nutrition lessons with nine elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. So far just a few classes have completed the series. The rest of the class should be completing the series by the end of January.
Mercy Foundation nurses have continued to increase students' knowledge on health. Through the partnership with OSU Extension service, nurses have been able to add a food element to the classroom. Teachers have informed us that their students have reported trying new fruits and vegetables because of the lessons, and they all agree that the food activity is their favorite part.
In fourth grade, the students get to try a carrot jicama orange salad after learning about the nutritional value of carrots. For many children, it's the first time they've tried jicama, a vegetable, and they have really liked it. To make this recipe at home, go to http://healthyrecipes.oregonstate.edu/. This Web site has many great recipes we use in class.
After each lesson, a handout is sent home to parents telling them about what their children have been learning in nutrition. The hope is that the information is shared with the whole family so that everyone can benefit from the increased knowledge on nutrition. This partnership has capitalized on the effort of Oregon Family Nutrition Program by reaching more families with nutrition education.
Mandy Hatfield is the Nutrition Education Program instructor for OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at mandy.hatfield@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 672-4461.
