Last year the UC Master Gardeners and UC CalFresh hosted "Spring Into Health" at the Garden of the Sun, an event where 4th grade students from Yokomi Elementary came to the Garden to experience interactive displays with mini lessons all about nutrition. Phoebe Copp, with the Dairy Council of California, participated in this event, teaching the students all about the importance of milk and building strong bones. The students enjoyed the lesson, especially being able to put on a fake milk mustache and take pictures!

Our next Spring into Health Event is scheduled in March 2015. We can't wait!

Here Pheobe asks the students to point out the dairy foods on the posters.

Students learn the importance of calcium for bone stength.

Learning is fun!

Students Isaiah and Crystal model their milk mustaches.

See how milk can make you smile!

Francesca and Ariianna model their milk mustahes.

UC CalFresh offers monthly tastings for our teachers and students. During this time, students are given the opportunity to try a food that they have never tasted before.

Why not add additional learning opportunities into your next Tasting Time?!

Ms. Alcala and Mrs. Lopez's class took their tastings to the next level by incorporating writing and math skills.

Mrs. Lopez's 3rd grade class at Rowell Elementary is creating and writing their own "Tasting Time" booklet. The booklet includes their descriptions and opinions about each tasting.

Ms. Alcala's T-K class at Brletic Elementary practiced writing their names. They also learned to count the names and add the numbers together.

Tell us how you incorporate math and writing skills into your classroom's tastings in the comments below.

Students at VASA Elementary learn the value of self grown herbs and vegetables! Pictured below fourth graders are planting lavender.

If you'd like to incorporate gardening in your classroom, check out the Fresno County Master Gardener Resource Guide, or contact your UC CalFresh Program Specialist.

Thanks to the great folks at Fresno Unified School District, we're able to share a few 'behind the scenes' photos from the recent visit with USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon. Read more about that visit here.

Students taking part in a school meal roundtable at Computech Middle School with (Left to right) Michael Hanson, Superintendent; Andrew Scherrer, Computech Principal; and Kevin Concannon, Undersecretary of the USDA.

(Left to right) Jeremy Ward, Principal, Duncan Polytech; Jesus Mendoza, USDA Regional Administrator, Western Region; Cal Johnson, Board President;  Michael Hanson, Superintendent; Kevin Concannon, Undersecretary of the USDA; Shelby MacNab, UC CalFresh Supervisor; Jose Alvarado, Food Services Director; Lynnette Brewer, UC CalFresh Supervisor; Andrew Scherrer, Computech Principal; and Karin Temple, Assistant Superintendent, Operational Services.

Jesus Mendoza and Jose Alvarado discuss the efforts Fresno Unified is making to provide healthy meals to all students thanks to the Community Eligibility provision (CEP). The CEP allows the district to feed all students for no-cost, regardless of income.

After spending the morning at Computech Middle School, Undersecretary Concannon was welcomed to the FUSD Nutrition Center.

(left to right) Food Service Director, Jose Alvarado, and USDA Undersecretary, Kevin Concannon, take a look at the Nutrition Corner, which features nutrition education and wellness efforts taking place in Fresno Unified School District. UC CalFresh spotlights the great work being done with the district here, including Smarter Lunchrooms efforts. 

Jose Alvarado leads the group on a tour of the FUSD Nutrition Center. 

The whole wheat rolls were a fan favorite! Undersecretary Concannon was excited to try one, and gave a thumbs up!

Thanks for taking a look behind the scenes! UC CalFresh enjoyed participating in the visit and are thrilled that the district can now feed all students, regardless of income.