The Housing Authority of Madera County collaborated for the 3^rd year with UCCE for summer nutrition classes. This year UC CalFresh was able to hold multiple classes at two different sites to reach all audiences: seniors, adults and youth.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You can never get enough education," was something Nutrition Coordinator, Angelica Perez, learned from teaching seniors. Using the Eat Smart, Live Strong curriculum, the senior participants learned the benefits of getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily and consuming three and a half cups of fruits and vegetables every day. The group really appreciated the break out sessions where they shared recipes and ideas of how to incorporate more physical activity into their lives. The participants were very thankful to have UC CalFresh come and hold classes about nutrition, and many shared that the class helped them to create healthier habits throughout the weeks the lessons were held. 

Angelica Perez teaching the Eat Smart, Live Strong Curriculum to participants in Madera County. 

 Maira Enriquez leading the physical activity portion of the class. 

 Another nutrition education series was held at the Madera Plaza Apartments. In this series, UC CalFresh reached families with the Plan, Shop, Save and Cook for the parents and the My Amazing Body youth curriculum for the kids. In the Plan, Shop, Save and Cook Series, one participant shared how she saved money on her monthly grocery bill by implementing the tips from the class. 

Maira Enriquez teaching Plan, Shop, Save and Cook to the Madera Plaza participants. 

Angelica Perez and Tacu Vang demonstrate the recipe for the Plan, Shop, Save and Cook Curriculum.

The youth class was also very successful, and the children at the Madera Plaza Apartments really enjoyed the nutrition activities and tastings of different foods from the five food groups. 

Tacu Vang teaching the youth class about germs and how to properly wash their hands. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summer always ends with good memories! The classes allowed for new participants to be reached with information regarding nutrition, physical activity and food safety. UC CalFresh looks forward to future collaborations with the Housing Authority of Madera County and the families of Madera County.  

On August 2nd, 2016, UC CalFresh was invited by the Housing Authority of Madera to participate in their National Night Out event. National Night Out is an annual event that is celebrated on the first Tuesday of August. Neighboring communities work together with law enforcement to create a culture of partnership for safer communities. UC CalFresh presented the workshop, "Milk is For Me," while the Housing Authority of Madera passed out books to children in the communities. National Night Out occurred at three different neighboring communities: the Malone Apartments, the Knox Apartments, and the Kennedy Apartments. UC CalFresh spent a total of 45 minutes at each site, which was a new, mobile approach that the team has not tried before.  

Nutrition Educators, Angelica Perez and Maira Enriquez, work together to educate community residents.

All of the great books that were given out to the neighboring communities. 

The UC CalFresh team working hard throughout the evening.   

All in all, there was a great turn out for National Night Out in Madera, and the community loved the nutrition information and books they received. It was wonderful to see the residents partner with local law enforcement on a hot day to promote this event. The UC CalFresh team met many great people and hopes to be apart of this event next year. 

Nutrition Educator Angelica Perez had the pleasure of providing a curricula training for the Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH). In this training she discussed the purpose of the Eat Fit and Nutrition to Grow On curricula and she reviewed how to implement the lessons with the intended audience, 4^th-6^th grade students. The training covered all lessons in both curricula, including the materials and posters that are used as visuals for the lessons by the UC CalFresh team in the classroom. This allowed the MCDPH staff to determine which activities would be most successful when they implement the curricula with the 4^th-6^th grade students they will be working with at 4-6 school sites this year.

Nutrition Educator Angelica Perez discusses the lesson the UC CalFresh team calls,

"Food Label Shuffle" 

The MCDPH staff learn about plant parts while getting some physical activity too!

On Wednesday, October 7^th, Sierra Vista Elementary School partnered with the Madera County Department of Public Health, the City of Madera Police Department, the Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC), and the City of Madera Parks & Community Services to celebrate National Walk to School Day. This event is celebrated across the country to promote walkable communities, environmental awareness through the reduction of automobile pollution, physical activity, and safe walking and bicycling behaviors. The UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program participated in the event by providing a MyPlate educational booth paired with physical activity to support the national movement. 

The UC CalFresh staff plays MyPlate Relay with students at McNally Memorial Park. 

How did we warm up for the walk? With the cha cha slide of course!

Participants at the halfway point of the walk. 

If you are interest in bringing the National Walk to School Day movement to a school or community near you, find more information here.