YOUTH EDUCATION

School Nutrition Programs

One of our biggest program areas is with children in the classroom setting. Currently, we are working with two school districts and seven elementary schools. These schools were targeted for our program based on their percentage of free and reduced-price lunch enrollment. A list of story books that we use in our school programs is available here.

• Food, Fun & Fitness Program - This program reaches school children in the elementary setting, grades-kindergarten, second and fourth. The overall program is focused around the three main goals of the USDA's Team Nutrition Project. The goals are aimed at improving the health of children by empowering them to:
  • choose a variety of foods
  • eat more grains, fruits and vegetables
  • eat a diet lower in fat

• Help Us Grow (HUG) Program - This program was initiated after various studies reflected poorly on the nutritional status of today's youth. This school nutrition/gardening program has three goals:
  • increase youth consumption of fruits and vegetables
  • build awareness of where food comes from
  • teach youth how to prepare healthy snacks

Goals are accomplished through nutrition lessons, hands-on food preparation, and indoor/outdoor growing activities.

Summer Day Camps
Children involved in summer day camp programs participate in a 2-5 day nutrition series. Topics and themes vary on a yearly basis. Some past themes have included "Down on the Farm" and "Nutrition Olympics".

Summer 4-H Clubs

Low-income, urban youth participate in three summer clubs designed to introduce them to the many opportunities available through 4-H.  Wisconsin Nutrition Education Program (WNEP)  teaches weekly lessons in food preparation, nutrition, and healthy snacking.

Other
Other presentations occur at the Marathon County youth shelter home, Children's Festival, after-school programs, and schools not currently included in our school nutrition program.

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