- Author: Christopher Deleon
Community centers provide learning opportunities and resources for local residents. They provide spaces for community members to become more involved in their community, their neighborhoods, and themselves. This summer the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program collaborated with the Holistic Cultural & Education Wellness Center to provide nutrition education classes to community members in the area. The Holistic Cultural & Education Wellness Center provides community members with a wide variety of services to encourage a well-balanced lifestyle. 
UC CalFresh provides nutrition education classes in both Spanish and English. Participants feel the classes help them make healthier decisions for themselves and their families.
Participants learn the importance of fruits and vegetables, planning meals to save money; and limiting salt, sugar and fat intake.
Participants also learn the importance of physical activity and strength training.
UC CalFresh had a great time collaborating with the center and providing lessons to families!
- Author: Carissa Villanueva
- Editor: Emily Harris
Small changes really do go a long way! ChooseMyPlate runs the #MyPlateMyWins campaign focused on providing real-life tips to a healthier lifestyle that includes all five food groups of MyPlate (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy). We understand it's not easy to change your eating habits, but #MyPlateMyWins makes the process simple, practical, and adaptable to your personal preferences! As you progress, keep up the motivation by celebrating your milestones and tips - known as "wins" - along the way with the hashtag #MyPlateMyWins. Who knows, you may even inspire someone else!
Click on the following links to discover the nutritional impacts of making simple, yummy changes to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Image Source: http://myhealthoc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/my-plate-my-wins.jpg
Source: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/what-are-myplate-mywins
- Author: Elizabeth Lopez
- Contributor: Emily Harris
On Saturday, April 29th, UC CalFresh attended Coalinga's Week of the Young Child Event at the West Hills College Child Development Center to honor the center's students and their families. With various vendors in attendance, families had the opportunity to enjoy many activities, including a petting zoo, a silent auction, a book fair, a gardening opportunity, and so much more!
- Author: Angelica Perez
- Editor: Emily Harris
UC CalFresh had a special visitor stop by to see what impact our nutrition program is having in Madera Unified School District. Ms. Nava's 2nd grade class at La Vina Elementary School learned all about “Varying Your Protein Food Choices" along with Congressman Jim Costa. This lesson focused on choosing a healthy balance of plant and lean animal protein foods every day. The students put their knowledge to the test during a group activity, where they helped each other sort out what foods come from plant sources and what foods come from animal sources.
Costa even participated in mixing together the Mango and Black Bean Salad recipe with Nutrition Program Coordinator, Angelica Perez. He began calling himself, “Mr. Mixer” during the recipe activity, which the students loved! A couple of students even asked for seconds from Mr. Mixer!
Students also joined in on an indoor physical activity called "Animal Charades" with Nutrition Educator, Austin Cantrell. They had fun acting out different animals without making a sound. Overall, the students enjoyed the experience and learned what Costa's role is as a congressman, and how he represents our Central Valley communities in Washington, D.C.
Pictured above, Principal Navarro, Ms. Nava and Congressman Jim Costa at La Vina Elementary in Madera, CA.
- Author: Emily Harris
On Saint Patrick's Day this year our UC CalFresh team was at the Fresno Fairgrounds talking to third graders throughout Fresno County about healthy eating at Farm and Nutrition Day. The Farm Bureau organizes this event every year to expose children to the agricultural industry and the benefits of healthy eating. UC CalFresh now has an established tradition to put on a nutrition play at Farm and Nutrition Day entitled, "Be Strong with 'Anytime' Foods," to show students the difference between '"anytime" foods, like strawberries and carrots, and "sometimes" foods, like candy and cookies.
Before the play begins, our narrator (Nutrition Coordinator, Nancy) and the Healthy Crew talk to the students about MyPlate. 
At the beginning of the play, Sometimes Sally and Anytime Andy (Nutrition Educators, Hannah and Chris) meet on the first day of school.
Anytime Andy shows the audience the strong muscles eating anytime foods have given him.
Anytime Andy encourages Sometimes Sally to choose a carrot, but she hasn't been convinced to eat anytime foods yet.
With the help of the audience, the Strong-O-Meter gives Anytime Andy the strength he needs to knock out the candy bar Sometimes Sally brought in her lunch.
When Anytime Andy wins the race at the end of the play, Sometimes Sally finally learns that eating healthy will make her stronger and give her more energy.
Before the show ended, our team showed the students how they like to exercise. Check it out on our Facebook page.
Behind the Scenes:
The UC CalFresh team poses for a quick picture before the first show. 
Nutrition Program Supervisor, Brittanny, preps the cast one final time.
Staff greets the audience and sets up for another show.
After five showings of the play, our team gathers together to celebrate all of our hard work. We can't wait for next year!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested in past Farm and Nutrition Days? Check out the last few years below:
