UC Food and Agriculture Blogs

It’s Berry Time!

It's a sweet sight this time of year when berries start showing up in farmers' market booths! We love them all: blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries to name a few. Here at Eat Local, we have been enjoying berries in many forms: In...

Detecting Subterranean Termites

Finding out that your house is infested with subterranean termites is among many homeowners' greatest fears. Mud-covered shelter tubes in the basement or crawl space may be the first sign that homeowners observe; these tubes allow termites to travel from...

Drop tubes from wood to soil are a sign of a subterranean termite infestation.

Drop tubes from wood to soil are a sign of a subterranean termite infestation. [Photo by V.R. Lewis]

Fourth-graders learn fast food can be healthy

A critical moment that just about every child will face in his or her lifetime takes place at the counter of a fast food restaurant. What should I order?

UC Cooperative Extension nutrition educators in Tulare County keyed in on that point in time in a play performed for 1,600 fourth-grade students at AgVentures Farm and Nutrition Day, May 23.

The play is a scripted game show titled “What Does MyPlate Say?” which encourages the children to think about the USDA's MyPlate eating guidelines, introduced to them by UC CalFresh educators in their classrooms throughout the year, when they order a fast food meal.

Five “contestants” were selected from the audience and asked to look at a food court menu. The first contestant is asked to select a fruit from the menu, and picks a yogurt parfait. Applause and a chorus of “Healthy, healthy, healthy eyes! Healthy, healthy, healthy skin!” affirm the choice.

The second student is charged with selecting a vegetable in the food court.

“French fries from MickeyC's,” he says. “Potatoes are vegetables, aren't they?”

The brightly dressed host, Sally Strawberry, admits that's true but declares french fries a “sometimes food.” Try again.

The second response, “veggie bowl from Bear Express,” is met with music, bells and applause.

Contestant three is challenged to find whole grains in the food court.

“Turkey on whole wheat from Sideway?” he responds tentatively. “Grains give us strength and energy to play!”

The fourth child to play gets a tricky question. “Can you choose a food that is high in protein but also high in fiber?” asks Sally Strawberry.

“Bean burrito from Beeanie Bell,” the child chimes.

“Muy rico,” Strawberry says. “We now have a fruit, vegetable, whole grains and protein. We just need a drink.”

“Milk, from any place,” the last child says.

See scenes from 2014 AgVentures in Tulare County in the one-minute video below:

At the end of the school year, we celebrate success

As the school year comes to a close, the schools we work with are humming with end of the year festivities. Students are looking forward to summer break, but always ask if we will be on campus teaching nutrition next school year. The answer is an enthusiastic yes!

As we say our temporary goodbyes for the summer, we've been reflecting on all of the wonderful experiences we've had. UC CalFresh staff really enjoy collaborating with teachers dedicated to helping children and families build healthier lifestyles. It's a joy to see children learn to make healthier choices over the school year.

Here are some of the highlights from our work in community nutrition education that we couldn't wait to share!

Teaching Yokomi elementary students how to build a healthy body

Trying new foods at Columbia elementary

Learning about edible plant parts at Sunshine Day

Teaching 3rd graders to choose "anytime" foods at Farm and Nutrition Day

The above images capture just a glimpse  into the exciting world of nutrition education. This year we've celebrated alongside parents who have earned a certificate in our class series, helped establish nutrition corners to promote healthy eating, and so much more! We can't wait to see what next school year holds!

To learn more about the nutrition education happening in Fresno County, visit the UC CalFresh blog.

 

Know Your Thrips

Are the leaves on your plant stippled or silvered and covered with small black dots of excrement? This damage could be caused by thrips, which are tiny, slender insects with fringed wings. Thrips may also pucker or gall leaves and scar flowers or fruit....

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