- Author: Tacu Vang
UC CalFresh teamed up with Cultiva La Salud to promote safe routes to school during their Walk to School event at Winchell and Greenberg Elementary, on October 25th and 26th. The event was hosted by Cultiva La Salud and UC CalFresh was there to support by providing a Rethink Your Drink station for participants.
The Walk to School event had a great turn out. There were parent volunteers who also helped out with the walk. Students were excited and have already been talking about the days that the event happened at their school. Winchell Elementary was the first of two Walk to School events. It was a cold morning at Winchell Elementary, but we were able to fight the weather off and enjoyed our walk.
Nutrition Program Supervisor, Nath Say, with a parent volunteer and Winchell students getting ready for the walk at one meeting location.
Winchell Students crossing the street with the help from Cultiva La Salud team and parent volunteer.
The UC CalFresh team (Carissa, Tacu, and Coraima) with morning smiles and the amazing infused water station.
The next day, we headed to Greenberg Elementary for their Walk to School event. Just like the day before, it was a cold day, but we all had fun with the students and parents. There were 4 different meeting locations for students to meet up so to participate in the walk. The students were ecstatic and enjoyed the morning walk.
Greenberg Students ready for the Walk to School event.
Greenberg Students with their Walk to School signs getting closer to the school.
UC CalFresh Team (Austin, Tacu, Evelyn, and Maira) supporting the Walk to School Event at Greenberg Elementary.
The Walk to School event was a great success. It was the first time that we have done an event like this at any of these schools. Cultiva La Salud did a great job at coordinating these two events and we hope that we can collaborate for more of these events with Cultiva La Salud in the future. One thing is for sure, there is more that we can still do to help all these students walk safely to school, and this is a start to many more safe routes to school.
- Author: Consuelo Cid
I spy something with fun booths, games, family entertainment, and outstanding school teachers and staff.
Did you guess school carnivals? If so, you hit the nail on the head!
I attended Winchell Elementary's School Carnival on May 19th with a couple of my UC CalFresh team members.
As a nutrition educator, one of my most anticipated school events are the school carnivals. Students also look forward to these yearly events. The students are eager to return to campus and enjoy the lively music, games, and entertainment with their friends and families.
Are school carnivals an appropriate avenue to reinforce the nutrition concepts that students learn in the classroom?
Of course! Here at UC CalFresh we make learning fun, and we use every opportunity to create healthier communities!
Just watch how this Winchell Elementary student tests his aim. Will it land on an anytime or sometimes dairy food? The uncertainty is keeping us all on edge.
Games are fun, but what delighted me was seeing how students also took an interest in the interactive "Milk is For Me" display. Their creative and bright minds went right to work as they recalled why low-fat milk was a drink of choice.
"Dairy gives me strong bones and strong teeth!"
Parents, too, were eager to have their dairy related questions answered. Did you know that students are great teachers?!?! With the help of students, we talked about the the importance of consuming low-fat dairy products!
What a fun way to reign in another school year. As summer approaches, we want to remind all students to choose and consume foods from all five food groups and to get moderate physical activity for at least 60 minutes each summer day, and every day. Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov to learn more!
UC CalFresh is excited to kick-start another healthy school year this upcoming fall!
- Author: Consuelo Cid
- Editor: Emily Harris
Students at Balderas and Winchell Elementary Schools receive no-cost nutrition education and food tastings throughout the school year if their teachers are enrolled in the UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program. The aim is to instill healthy eating behaviors and physical activity habits at an early age!
The beauty of learning is that it is an ongoing feat for all people of all ages! Parents at Balderas and Winchell Elementary Schools joined in on the nutrition education fun as they explored how to make healthy eating the right and easy choice.
Parents were eager to learn about how they could plan, purchase, and prepare healthy food choices on a budget, and they agreed that eating healthy can sometimes be straining on the budget, but small changes can make a world of a difference!
Small steps are the key to success.
Here are some easy ways to save money when purchasing healthy foods for your family:
- Make a grocery list and stick to it!
- Buy in bulk.
- Shop when you are not hungry.
- Plan your meals around sale food items and use coupons!
- Compare unit prices and try store brands!
- Visit your local Farmers Market for seasonal fruit and vegetable options.
- To find a Farmers Market near you, visit the Ecology Center.
- Look for Market Match. Learn all about Market Match on our blog so that you can extend your fruit and vegetable dollars even more!
- To find a Farmers Market near you, visit the Ecology Center.
Do you have a thrifty tip or something that helps you buy healthier food, while on a budget? Comment below and share with us. We love hearing from you!
Preparing a healthy recipe is always the most anticipated class activity. Learning how to read a recipe and prepare healthy meals is a lifelong skill that can be used immediately to improve the eating behaviors of our participants. Our program participants are also encouraged to keep an active lifestyle, and move more! Does this mean parents got a little taste of physical activity in every class? You bet they did!
Upon the successful completion of a four-week nutrition education series, parents received a University of California certificate that acknowledged their commitment to adopt healthier lifestyles. Additionally, they received a bag containing reinforcement items, such as cookbooks, measuring cups and spoons, scrub brush, grocery list, and much more!
Give it up for Balderas' Plan, Shop, $ave, and Cook class of 2017!
Give it up for Winchell's Plan, Shop, $ave, and Cook class of 2017!
Let's hear some of the parents' successes:
"I am more aware of what I buy, I take my [grocery list] notes when I shop so I don't overbuy. I am also reading the contents on cereal, I am saving money when I do my grocery shopping." - parent
"Estoy mas consiente de las compras, [h]echo mas apuntes para no comprar de mas. Tambien estoy leyendo el contenido de las cajitas de cereal, estoy...ahorrando dinero al [h]acer mis compras." - padre de familia
"I learned how to make healthy recipes (ranch dressing), to read food labels, and to [read] the percentages of sugar and salt that foods contain." - parent
"Aprendí a hacer recetas más saludables (ranch dressing), leer las etiquetas de los productos y [ha] saber el porcentaje de azúcar y sal que contiene [los alimentos]. " - padre de familia
Thank you to both Balderas and Winchell Elementary Schools for opening their doors and allowing us to help improve eating behaviors for families in Fresno County!
Would you would like to invite us to host a no-cost parent nutrition class at your school site?
Contact Javier Miramontes, UC CalFresh Program Supervisor, to get started!
Javier Miramontes
Nutrition Program Supervisor
(559) 241-7539
