Many communities are fighting back, with efforts to expose kids to healthy food choices and teach them about the hows and whys of good nutrition. Some organize taste tests to introduce kids to never-tried healthy foods. My own school district has held apple tastings for the whole school, where kids could sample several varieties of fruit from local orchards. Other communities have had others kinds of tastings, with the most popular items being added to the regular lunch menu.
Health fairs that bring in community partners spread the word as well, as do newsletters and websites produced by wellness and nutrition committees. Classroom visits by farmers and chefs help, too, like Chef in the Classroom at Haldane School in Cold Spring, started by Hudson Valley Farm to School, where chefs come in and guide children as they invent and cook a recipe then name it themselves — one example: Rhubarb Jumble Crumble —and then offer it to their schoolmates in the cafeteria a week or so later. The organization can also help with action planning, curriculum, cooking techniques for local produce and assistance in making connections with local farms.
Nutrition and fitness
Also helpful is forming student groups and clubs that focus on nutrition or fitness, sometimes sponsored by a formal organization that can provide guidance in the form of leadership, goals, structure and activities offering learning opportunities for the club members and their classmates. Grants are available to help create school gardens, since kids are more likely to eat food they’ve had a hand in growing.
Although I know it’s tough for teachers to add stuff when all class time is packed already to prepare students for standardized testing, it’s crucial to weave nutrition and fitness education into the curriculum however possible. Just putting up posters around the classroom that encourage healthy eating can’t hurt.
Groups from local to national exist to help. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a nutrition and physical activity program from the National Dairy Council and the National Football League with support from the USDA. It has involved eleven million students, with more than 26,000 adult advisors in 73,000 schools. The emphasis is on long-term positive changes through physical activity programs like walk/bike to school, pre-class lap runs, “You’ll Love Yoga,” and a “Walk it!” club. Participation makes schools eligible to apply for funds, like a $4,000 grant. The deadline is June 4. Individuals can sign up as supporters or advisors. Here in Kingston, the A Healthy Kingston for Kids program, powered by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, is working on several initiatives, including mapping out safe routes for students to walk to school.
