- 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
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.
- Author: Christine Davidson
The National School Lunch Program provides nutritionally balanced free and reduced price lunches to children of low income families in need. The summer time can be difficult for those families as children are not provided a healthy meal when school is out. The summer meal program helps to alleviate the stress of feeding children during the summer break.
Hesperia Unified School District is one of many districts in San Bernardino county that provides meals during the summer. The district Food and Nutrition Services started the summer with an exciting kick off lunch at Topaz Elementary, one of the meal sites. Over 300 children were served a nutritious meal and were provided enrichment activities for the whole family to enjoy.
All four UCCE programs were represented at the kick off providing information and activities for families. EFNEP distributed recipe cards, cutting boards and calendars for parents and signed parents up for the UCCE Connects to You distance learning pilot program. Children were given gardening gloves from the Happy Healthy Me curriculum to start growing vegetables at home. Master Gardeners had a small space herb garden and vermicomposting demonstration as well as promoted the MG hotline and volunteer program. 4-H brought a live rabbit for children to pet, the living desert sensory station and the signs of animals present in the forest. Master Food Preservers promoted their public classes and had a tropical freezer jam tasting, it was a hit!
- Author: Christine Davidson
- Contributor: Chutima Ganthavorn
The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) has been working with Jones Elementary to provide a series of nutrition education classes to both students and parents. Three of the 6 families participating in both the youth and adult EFNEP program were recognized for their dedication to learning about living a healthy lifestyle at the Game On Health Fair event. The three families went home with a certificate of recognition from EFNEP and a spinning globe from the school principal.
