Lesson 1.3: Shop with a List

Background: Shopping practices vary among Latino households, depending on where they live, how long they have lived in the US, income, and education. While many shop at grocery and discount stores, Latinos who have lived in the United States longer are more likely to shop at supermarkets.  

Recent immigrants may prefer fresh produce over canned or frozen varieties, since fresh items are easier to use in traditional recipes. For many families, farmers’ markets, community gardens, and roadside stands are not viable shopping alternatives due to lack of transportation, garden space, or time. Supermarket tours, feedback on the nutritional value of foods that families buy, and label reading exercises help families to choose healthy foods for the best price.

Teaching Tip: This lesson reinforces messages that are taught  in the “Read the labels”, “School’s Out: Stock the pantry with healthy foods” and “Food advertising” lessons.  If you cannot arrange a supermarket tour, teach people to review the advertising papers from local stores before shopping trips.

Target Audience: Latino families with young children, ages 3 to 8 years

Key Message: Plan your shopping trip to buy healthy foods and save money.

Objectives: By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1) Plan a meal using items on sale;

2) Write a shopping list for one meal; and

3) Explain to children why the family will only buy foods on the list

Materials:

Ads from local grocery store

Paper and pencils

MyPlate poster     

Supplies and recipes for food tasting

Set-up: Collect several local grocery store advertisement newspapers (enough for groups of 2-3 participants) before class.

Click here to download English lesson plan:  Lesson 1.3 Shop with a List (English)