- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
- Author: Lauren Borges
- Author: Carmela Padilla
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
San Andreas Senior Center participants and Calaveras High School students learn to create a nutritious in-season meal from the garden.
SUMMARY
In Calaveras County, CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California Cooperative Extensive (CFHL UCCE) began efforts towards intergenerational learning at the Calaveras Master Gardener Demonstration Garden. The CFHL UCCE program partnered with UC Master Gardeners, CalaverasGROWN farmers, Calaveras high school students and teachers, and the San Andreas Senior Center to develop this opportunity.
BACKGROUND
Connecting people from different generations provides an opportunity to unify communities, especially in rural areas where households are spread out and don't always have the chance to interact. Intergenerational efforts also have the ability to build capacity in communities as generations learn from each other and knowledge is shared.
In Calaveras County, about 28% of the population is 65 years or older, and around 17% are children under age 18. This age distribution offers an excellent opportunity to bring together different groups to help promote healthy behaviors for people of all ages.
SOLUTION
Over this past year, a group of community members from the San Andreas Senior Center participated in regular nutrition education and physical activity lessons provided by CFHL UCCE. This group has been able to apply what they have learned from each educational series personally, as well as within their church when preparing free community meals. As a result, the seniors wanted to extend this knowledge further into the community by inviting a Calaveras High School special education class to an intergenerational event at the Master Gardener Demonstration Garden.
“I was happy to be a part of this special event and look forward to events in the future. Both groups worked together so nicely while playing instruments, cooking, and gardening."
-Lois Conklin, Senior Participant
OUTCOME
Together, CFHL UCCE, UC Master Gardeners, CalaverasGROWN farmers, and school staff helped to coordinate a successful educational event. There were 30 attendees in total who received direct nutrition education, and the seniors and high school students worked together to create a delicious, seasonal dish made primarily from local produce – some picked fresh from the garden.
Both groups shared that they enjoyed the socioconnectivity of the event, and would like to continue with other garden events in the future. In the meantime, the high school students invited the seniors to participate in ongoing cooking classes and the seniors invited the high school students to join them for physical activity lessons. These classes were curtailed due to COVID-19, but there will be opportunities to resume when in-person education is possible again.
California's CalFresh Healthy Living, with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – USDA SNAP, produced this material. These institutions are equal opportunity providers and employers. For important nutrition information, visit www.CalFreshHealthyLiving.org
/h1>/h1>/h1>/h1>/h1>Intergenerational Learning in the Garden
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
Few things signal the end of summer and the beginning of fall as clearly as grapes beginning to ripen. Many different varieties of grapes are available throughout the season in shades of green, red, purple, and some dark enough to be considered black. In addition to grapes for fresh eating, grapes used to make wine are an important and widely grown crop in the Central Sierra. The flavors of different varieties differ widely, but all grapes make a sweet and refreshing snack. Grapes are a good source of vitamin C, and also contain antioxidants known as polyphenols that may help prevent certain chronic diseases. See below for new ideas to cook with grapes, or learn more about grapes and view their nutrition facts at the USDA's Seasonal Produce Guide.
Recipe Ideas:
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson
- Author: Katie (Cathryn) R Johnson