MyPlate Fights Food Insecurity Julia Bird, December 2011 For MPH-Nutrition course Community Nutrition

A little about me In MPH-N since Spring 2011 BSc (microbiology) from University of Sydney Working for DSM Nutritional Products, NJ

Warren County, NJ Population 110,000 Semi-rural, yet 1 hour’s drive from New York City Median household income $74,000 (NJ: $70,000) Source: County Health Rankings. Warren County, New Jersey. jersey/warren/other-measures Accessed September 12, 2011http:// jersey/warren/other-measures

Warren County, NJ Health risks: 36% overweight 25% obese Only 28% consume at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables 25% did not participate in physical activity in the past month Source: Warren County Health Department, Warren County Health Improvement Plan

Finding a project… The mayor of my town: – Wellness campaign November 2008 Warren County Health Department Family and Community Health Outreach (Rutgers) …. Knowlton Township Elementary School Source: Town of Hackettstown. Community. Accessed September 4,

Knowlton Township Elementary 280 children aged Pre K % of students have disabilities 98.9% of students’ first language at home is English 0% student expulsions since 2008 (State=4%) Sources: Knowlton Township Elementary School. Homepage. accessed December 1, 2011http:// accessed December 1 New Jersey Department of Education Report Card Knowlton Township Elementary School. Accessed December 1,

The “Just Say No Club” After-school program for kids in grades 4-6 Includes information about healthy living Proposed as a target audience for my community education project – Fruit and vegetable intakes are low in Warren County – Work with planned food drive?

Overview of my program Information sheet about “healthy foods” for food drive 1. Introduction to MyPlate (theory) Focus on “Eat the Rainbow of Fruits and Vegetables” 2. Suggestions for foods from each food group from children (interactive session) 3. Drawing MyPlate – coloring sheet Food drive collection Source of materials including coloring sheet: USDA. MyPlate – Print materials accessed October 3,

Example of handout for parents

Some images from my project implementation…

Introduction to myPlate

“Eat the Rainbow”

MyPlate coloring sheets

MyPlates

Assessment of plates Plate #FruitVegetableGrainProteinDairy Plate 1CherriesBroccoliSpaghettiEggCheese Plate 2 Cherries, orange, blueberry Carrots & broccoliToastChickenNone Plate 3 Apple, banana, strawberryBroccoliSandwichMeatMilk Plate 4PeachesBroccoliRiceNutsMilk Plate 5 Banana, strawberryBroccoliPasta Filet mignonCheese Plate 6StrawberriesCarrots Canned cornChicken Chocolate soy milk

Results of Food Drive Food collected in boxes outside classrooms I checked three boxes – Out of 92 items, 42 were “healthy” = 46% Healthy items included canned vegetables, whole grain pasta, canned tuna and meats in brine, reduced sodium soup, high-fiber cereal

Learning points It is difficult to present to children! – Estimating knowledge is difficult Three year age gap = large difference Very fast pace – ran out of activities Unexpected questions

Credits Project: Thanks to Sherri Cirignano from the Rutgers Community Outreach, Mrs Harer and Mrs Staub, and the children in the Just Say No Club at Knowlton Township Elementary School