Have you ever made English muffin pizza or grilled a bean burrito on a griddle?  Students from Roosevelt Ready After School program created these masterpieces during their recent "Chop Jr." competition.  CalFersh Healthy Living|University of California provided just a handful of ingredients for the participants.  Students had the opportunity to master their skills using different textures and tastes together for members of the schools' administration to judge.  In the end two winners were announced.  During the competition, students not competing enjoyed physical activity and danced their afternoon away to songs like Macarena, Cha, Cha, Slide and Speedy Gonzalez.

UCCE in partnership with the Department of Hospitality Management at West Hills Community College - Lemoore and preschools located at the college campus embraced a collaborative approach to promoting healthy eating and active living by helping preschoolers learn the concepts and taste Go Glow Grow foods.  During April - May, 2019, collaborative partnership efforts captivated preschoolers' attention with key MyPlate messages and tastes tests. All of the preschoolers received six weeks of Go Glow Grow curriculum education from UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program, while twelve community college students from the culinary department shared recipes and conducted food demonstrations and taste tests.  Nine preschool teachers consistently supported the program.  Upon completion of the program, preschoolers received a graduation certificate and a chef's hat. Success stories, lesson observations and activities indicated increased knowledge of preschoolers about MyPlate food groups and willingness to try foods from all food groups. What began as a needs assessment to examine the nutrition practices of early childhood education settings, this program ended on a promising note to continue promoting the health and well-being of young children!

Men belong in the kitchen. Women belong in the kitchen. Children belong in the kitchen.  EVERYONE belongs in he kitchen as evidenced by the participants in the "CHOP" cook off event held at Jefferson Charter School.  The READY after school program invited students and parents to compete in a cooking event.  A few basics were provided but the families were able to bring their own secret ingredients to make a special plate for the judges to taste.  While the points were close, the Herrera family came up with the winning dish.  Congratulations to all the participants!