- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Editor: Emily Harris
Garden-based learning offers a myriad of benefits to students.
Garden based learning:
- Allows teachers to integrate multiple subject areas like the natural and social sciences, mathematics, language arts, and nutrition.
- Enhances academic achievement.
- Connects students with nature.
- Teaches environmental stewardship.
- Encourages time outdoors.
Gardening grows more than just gardens: it grows students' minds!
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Vang Pao Elementary teacher, Jacquie Henderson, started a school garden during the 2015-2016 academic school year. Henderson is excited to expand her classroom garden this upcoming school year. Let's see what bounty they cultivated this past school year...
Can you guess what's growing at Vang Pao?
If you guessed yellow summer squash and tomatoes, you are correct!
Looks likes it's almost time to harvest again!
The garden was made possible by the work of Henderson's fifth grade class and students in the garden club at Vang Pao Elementary. They did an amazing job, and even donated their first harvest! Students enjoyed tasting the fruits of their labor, or in this case, the vegetables of their labor!
Great job Henderson's fifth grade class! I look forward to seeing what produce you decide to plant this school year.
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Did you know...
August 7-13, 2016 is National Farmers Market Week!
Click here to find a Farmers Market near you to purchase local produce.
- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Contributor: Evelyn Morales
- Editor: Emily Harris
Pete needs your help!
August 7-13, 2016 is National Farmers Market Week!
Mark your calendar and help Pete spread the word!
Let's get the celebration started!
Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack has proclaimed the week of August 7-13, 2016 as National Farmers Market Week. Vilsack recognizes that farmers markets meet consumer demand for locally sourced, fresh, and healthy produce. Farmers Markets also help sustain and support family farms, serve as a conduit by which farmers and consumers can interact, and provide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, CalFresh, recipients with further opportunities to utilize their benefits.
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Pete explores a new Farmers Market: The Vineyard Farmer's Market.
Can you spot Pete?
The Vineyard Farmer's Market is open every Wednesday from 3pm-6pm and Saturday from 7am-12pm.
The Vineyard Farmer's Market offers Market Match incentives, and is open year round! That's music to Pete's ears.
Looks like Pete found the Market Match booth. Pete knows how important stretching food dollars is; he wants you to keep a vigilant eye so that you can save too!
Pete loves his vegetables, even if they sometimes make him cry.
"Oh, hello there. I'm just hanging out with a few herbs!" Did you know that herbs and spices are a great way to give your foods flavor. Out with the salt and in with the flavor!
So much color! Pete loves that bell peppers come in many different colors. Do you have a favorite?
Root vegetables are fun to dig up. What root vegetables do you see?
Pete can't decide which one he likes best! Seedless? With seeds? "I'll take a slice of both please!"
Help Pete spread the word: National Farmers Market Week is just around the corner!
August 7-13, 2016 is National Farmers Market Week!
Visit the Ecology Center for a Farmers Market near you!
Pete would love to see your Farmers Market pictures!
Share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
@uccalfreshfmc
Use the hashtags #UCCE #UCANR to stay connected!
- Author: Yolanda Lopez
- Editor: Emily Harris
Eligible participants that graduate from the Eating Smart, Being Active adult nutrition education class series with the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program receive a reusable tote bag. These reusable tote bags are very convenient to use, but can they cause illness?
Image Source: eatright.org
These tips from Home Food Safety can reduce your risk of food borne illness from your reusable tote bags:
1. Wash your grocery tote frequently in the washing machine or by hand with hot, soapy water.
2. When shopping, put meat, poultry and fish in separate plastic bags before placing in the tote. This will help prevent juices from leaking and contaminating your reusable bags and food.
3. Place fresh or frozen raw meat, poultry and fish in separate totes from produce and ready-to-eat foods.
4. Clean all areas where you place your totes, such as kitchen counter or table, to reduce cross contamination.
5. Store totes in a clean, dry location. Avoid leaving totes in the trunk of a vehicle.
For more tips to reduce your risk of food borne illness, visit www.homefoodsafety.org
- Author: Nora Lopez
- Editor: Emily Harris
Adults at any age need at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week, which comes out to about 30 minutes, five days a week. Physical activity has different benefits. Walking, for example, can give us energy, help us relax, reduce stress, help us sleep better, tone our muscles, and help us control our appetites. If we have a chronic condition, physical activity can help to improve our health and reduce the risk of developing other conditions. As we age, our balance, flexibility and strength is not as it was in our younger years. Simple, everyday activities, such as opening a water bottle or holding a spoon to eat, can become a hassle. Being active can help us perform our everyday activities with more ease.
Try out the exercises from Go4Life below to improve your balance, flexibility and strength, no matter your age.
- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Contributor: Evelyn Morales
- Editor: Emily Harris
Do you find shopping at a Farmers Market too intimidating? Need help getting started?
Have no fear!
UC CalFresh and Pete, the MyPlate Superhero, will help you get started!
Why shop at a Farmers Market?
Farmers Markets support our farmers and our local economy while increasing our access to fresh, nutritious, and locally grown fruits and vegetables!
How can I stretch my food-buying dollars when shopping at a local Farmers Market?
~~ Market Match ~~
Market Match is California's healthy food incentive program that will match your CalFresh dollars up to $10 when you purchase fruits and vegetables! That means your $10 CalFresh EBT budget, for fruits and vegetables, can double up to $20. That's more money for delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables!
Look for the Market Match tent at select Farmers Markets to get started!
Want to buy non-fruit and non-vegetable products using your CalFresh EBT card? No problem! Select Farmers Markets will also allow you to use your CalFresh EBT and WIC benefits to buy food. Click here to find a Market near you and find out what Market Match incentives they offer!
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Pete, the MyPlate Superhero, is happy to hear that Californians can make healthy choices at Farmers Markets near them. Let's follow Pete as he navigates his first Farmers Market: The Market on Kern.
Pete can't help but be excited. Just look as he takes flight!
Pete's first stop is the Market Match tent. He wants to make the most out of his food dollars. Shopping smart is how Pete likes to roll.
It looks like kale has caught Pete's attention. Kale is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C, and a good source of calcium and dietary fiber.
Is there anything better than ripe fruits? Pete suggests having a sweet and juicy fruit as a snack or dessert! Yum!
Pete knows tomatoes can be confusing: are they a fruit or a vegetable? Pete notes that they are a vegetable on MyPlate, and so good for you! Try adding this delicious vegetable in your everyday meals and let us know how it goes. Pete would love to hear all about it!
Pete loves to share his knowledge about MyPlate. Pete reminds Nutrition Coordinator, Evelyn Morales, about the importance of making fruits and vegetables half your plate!
Come visit the Market on Kern, open every Wednesday, 9am to 2pm, now through October.
Summer is a great time to explore your local Farmers Market. Who knows, you may run into Pete!
Visit the Ecology Center for a Farmers Market near you.
Happy Shopping!
-Pete, the MyPlate Superhero
