- Author: Christine Davidson
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has partnered with San Andreas High School for over a decade. The partnership began with EFNEP bringing workshops on preparing and eating healthy food to the Cal SAFE program for pregnant teens. The Cal SAFE program phased out of San Andreas but Clara Wilshire, nutrition educator, continued to provide nutrition education through Youth EFNEP using the Hunger Attack curriculum. The school has since started to offer more programs and career pathways in business, technology, health and science. They now have a large greenhouse and hydroponic garden for students to grow and sell their produce. They expanded the partnership with EFNEP to include the UCCE San Bernardino Master Gardener Program.
The high school has been presenting information virtually during Farm to School Fridays to teach students where food comes from. EFNEP educator Clara Wilshire provided a lesson on MyPlate and prepared vegetable quesadillas using ingredients from the school's garden. Clara walked out to the garden and showed students how to select the best produce and properly clip cilantro from the bunch. She also reviewed proper food safety tips when preparing food such as washing hands and produce before beginning. The presentation was live streamed to 87 kindergarten through 12th grade classes in the San Bernardino City Unified School District reaching over 1700 students.
During the presentation, 95% of students stated they were familiar with MyPlate and 88% stated they had tried quesadillas previously during a live poll. Students were invited to write questions and answers in the chat and five students were brought in via webcam to ask the educator questions live. Two students from Bob Holcomb Elementary School asked “ If I drink juice do I still get the vitamins?” and “Is it okay to eat vegetables from fast food places?”. Clara was able to answer their questions and provide additional feedback. The session wrapped up with a review of what was learned about MyPlate, a raffle and a tasting by Ms. Figueroa of the delicious veggie quesadillas. Teachers were provided materials for the lesson, parent handouts and the recipe so students could make the snack at home.
Watch the event videos below.
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Estudiantes de San Bernardino cultivan alimentos y nuevas oportunidades - YouTube
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- Author: Christine Davidson
Teachers from Juanita Blakely Jones Elementary School in the San Bernardino City Unified School District have been a part of the EFNEP program for many years. This year, 1st and 2nd grade teachers participated in the new virtual youth EFNEP program. The first grade students learned about the importance of taking care of your body by eating healthy, sleeping and being physically active from the My Amazing Body curriculum. The second graders learned about healthy snacking, the importance of breakfast, food safety and exercise from the Good For You and Me curriculum. Students and their teachers met live via Google Meets with their nutrition educator each week for 6 weeks. Fillable PDFs and Google Forms were available for all students via Google Classroom to complete worksheets and evaluations. The lessons started with a storybook reading related to the lesson topic, followed by interactive virtual games and a nutrition lesson. The final lesson topic included proper hand washing, which will be an important skill to know as students return to in person learning.
To show appreciation for their dedication to improving the health of all students, teachers were invited to participate in a freezer jam and seed paper making workshop provided by UCCE's Master Food Preserve and Master Gardener Programs. Kits were provided to teachers ahead of time to enable them to participate during the live demonstration. The freezer jam kit included a container, pectin and the jam recipe. Teachers were encouraged to provide their favorite fresh or frozen berries to use as they followed along. The workshop started with the Master Food Preserver Coordinator demonstrating the jam making process while incorporating important food safety, hand washing and storage techniques. Jam making was followed by seed paper making. The Master Gardener Coordinator provided a kit including a basket, screens, and sponges for teachers to follow along. This fun craft was a perfect gift or could be planted in their garden.
UCCE San Bernardino is looking forward to another workshop for teachers in the spring!
- Author: Christine Davidson
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program has been providing families in San Bernardino county with virtual workshops to teach healthy living practices. Parents and caregivers from the San Bernardino Unified School district were recruited via FaceBook Live. An EFNEP educator demonstrated making Chewy Granola Bars; a quick and easy child friendly snack, while promoting the program. Other parents from Fontana Adult School, Rialto Parent Center, and Hesperia Unified School District were invited via social media and fliers sent via email or Peachjar. Eight lessons were mailed or emailed to participants to review at home which were adapted from the Eating Smart Being Active curriculum. Lessons were followed up with 4 Zoom sessions. During each Zoom session, educators reinforced key messages from lessons and answered questions. The virtual sessions gave parents an opportunity to interact, share successes and challenges. Topics included fruits and vegetables, reading the food label, food safety, saving money, and healthy recipes. Physical activity was incorporated during each session to demonstrate the importance and health benefits. At the end of the series graduates received a certificate, cookbook and were invited to continue learning through the UCCE Master Gardener Program virtual workshops.
The first Master Gardener Zoom session, “Planting a Fall Garden”, focused on planting, growing and maintaining a garden in the fall season. The second session focused on composting and sustainable landscapes. By using food scraps, leaves and grass clippings, participants learned to create their own compost which in turn saves money and is better for the environment. Both sessions reinforced concepts learned in the EFNEP series including stretching the food dollar by growing your own food and using left over food or items in the home instead of buying at the store. The importance of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables was emphasized by sharing the variety of food you can grow in the fall. To help parents with picky eaters or those that avoid eating fruits and vegetables, the volunteer shared ways to involve children in planting, maintaining and harvesting. When children are involved in the process, they are more likely to eat or at least try something new. The Master Gardener volunteer was available to answer questions specific to participants. Each topic was presented in English and Spanish to reach the diverse residence of San Bernardino county.
- Author: Christine Davidson
Parents and caregivers across San Bernardino County participated in the new EFNEP 100% at Home Program which was adapted from the 9 lesson in person series Eating Smart Being Active. Lessons were sent to participants via mail or email to review at home. A series of 4 Zoom sessions were scheduled with groups from San Bernardino Unified School District, Fontana Adult School, Hesperia Unified School District, and Rialto Parent Center. During each Zoom session, educators reinforced key messages from lessons and were available to answer questions. The Zoom sessions were also an opportunity for parents to interact and share successes and challenges they are facing. Topics included physical activity, fruits and vegetables, reading the food label, food safety, saving money, and healthy recipes. At the end of the series graduates received a certificate and cookbook.
To reinforce concepts such as stretching the food dollar and food safety, participants were invited to 2 sessions on pickling presented by the Master Food Preserver Program. The first session was an introduction to pickling vegetables along with important food safety practices. To save money, participants were shown a variety of containers they can reuse from common items purchased at grocery stores. The second session was a live demonstration on pickling. Participants were given a list of ingredients needed to follow along in their home. The collaboration between programs has allowed families to connect and continue learning about living a healthy lifestyle.
- Author: Christine Davidson
This week we are celebrating National Volunteer Week by highlighting the volunteers and partners who are a vital part to the success of UCCE programs. On February 24, 2020 UCCE San Bernardino hosted an appreciation dinner to recognize the invaluable volunteers and partners.
The celebration started with a welcome by County Directors Janet Hartin and Chris McDonald followed by dinner and finally the recognition. Honorees received a certificate of appreciation from UCCE and​ Board of Supervisor Chairman Curt Hagman. Seven San Bernardino County departments were recognized for their valuable partnerships needed to implement programs. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program recognized teachers, school administrators, and parent liaisons who are key in reaching families to provide them with education to live healthier lives. The Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver Programs recognized their indispensable volunteers who are the heartbeat of the program and provide outreach to the community. 4-H recognized leaders who are empowering today's youth to be leaders of tomorrow. To top off the dinner, the Master Gardener Coordinator, Maggie O'Neill, made a delicious cake decorated to represent all programs.