Boys and Girls Kinder Club Nutrition Education Activity and Lesson Plan by Tracy Beckmann OSU Dietetic Intern 2012-2013

Focus on Farm-to-School At the end of this activity, students will be able to identify 1. foods that come from the farm 2. vegetables vs fruit 3. “sometimes” vs “every day” foods 4. why we eat fruits and vegetables

Program Background Information for the Activity Leader Farm-to-School is a concept embraced by Corvallis School District 509J as an avenue to promote healthful eating in an efficient, effective and sustainable manner. As often as possible, the Department of Nutrition and Food Services works with local farmers and produce vendors to source the fruits and vegetables served in their National School Lunch Program. In addition, Corvallis School District 509J formed a partnership program with Corvallis Environmental Center’s Edible Corvallis Initiative to give students a “hands-on” experience of the Farm-to-School ideal. The goal is to teach students about fresh, healthful foods that are grown locally. To do this the program hosts tasting tables, farm field trips and garden clubs, all the while incorporating nutritional information into the school curriculum. The program was first introduced at Lincoln Elementary and became so popular with faculty, parents and students that now all eight schools participate. The tasting tables are especially successful in creating excitement around trying new foods. Corvallis School District 509J knows it’s not just about offering fresh, local vegetables and fruit and including them in daily meals. Nutrition education for students is a pivotal component in order for them to be successful in establishing healthful eating habits. Please keep this in mind while utilizing the following kindergarten activity. As Corvallis School District 509J emphasizes, “Healthy Meals = Healthy Kids!”

Instructions Print, then cut out the pictures on the next slide. Print the picture of the barn. In small groups, with adult help, have children place the pictures of items that come from a farm on the barn picture. As they place the pictures, have them say the name of the food. Once the farm foods have been identified, have students separate the vegetables from the fruit.

Top row: soda pop, watermelon, berries, cotton candy Bottom row: bell pepper, lollipop, cabbage, cupcake, red beet

Instructions, cont’d 5. Ask the students where the other foods (non-fruit or vegetables) come from. Appropriate answers may include “store,” “Grandma’s house,” “fair” or “carnival,” “birthday party,” etc. 6. Mix up all food pictures together in one pile. One by one, have students determine which foods are “sometimes” foods and which are “every day” foods. Place the “sometimes” foods in one pile and the “every day” foods in another pile.

Instructions, cont’d 7. Ask students to identify which food group(s) the “every day” foods are. Appropriate answers are “fruit” and “vegetable” food groups. 8. Start a student discussion by asking, “Does this mean we should eat fruits and vegetables every day?”

Instructions, cont’d 9. Ask students why we should eat fruits and vegetables every day. Appropriate answers may include “they’re good for us,” “they help us grow up healthy and strong,” and “they have vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to be healthy.”

Take Home Handout The following questionnaire is designed to start a discussion between parents/guardians and their kindergarten student regarding fruits and vegetables.

How much do you know about vegetables and fruit? My favorite vegetable is _____________. Why is it your favorite?______________. True or false: You should eat vegetables every day. Answer: True My favorite fruit is ______________. Why is it your favorite?______________________. True or false: You should eat fruit every day. Answer: True What is ________ (family member’s) favorite vegetable?__________________. Why is it her/his favorite?_____________. What is ________ (family member’s) favorite fruit?___________________. Why is it her/his favorite?__________. If you try a vegetable and you don’t like it, you should: a. throw it on the ground b. feed it to the dog c. try it again sometime Answer: C True or False: it is a good idea to eat many different kinds of fruits and vegetables. Answer: True

References Corvallis Environmental Center website. Farm to School. Accessed at http://www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org/edible-corvallis-initiative/farm-to-school/ on October 13, 2012. Corvallis School District website. Farm to School Program. Accessed at http://www.csd509j.net/en-us/districtinformation/departmentsservices/foodservices/nutritioninformation/farmtoschoolprogram.aspx on October 13, 2012. Consumer Wellness Center. Corvallis Farm-to-School Program wins $1000 Nutritional Grant Award Two Years in a Row. Accessed at http://www.consumerwellness.org/PR14.html on October 13, 2012. National Institutes of Health and United States Department of Health and Human Services. We Can! Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition. Accessed at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/go-slow-whoa.pdf on October 13, 2012.