harvest of the month nutrition education wellness champions
TRANSCRIPT
Harvest of the Month
Nutrition Education Wellness Champions
What is Harvest of the Month? (HOM)
• Federally-funded program;• Implemented through the Network for a
Healthy California grant;• Offered to low-resource school districts.
Why HOM?
• Increase students’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Increase students’ knowledge of and familiarity with the rich agricultural bounty of California.
• Potential to positively change eating and activity behaviors.
Criteria for HOM Fruits and Vegetables
• California grown;• In-season during the month featured;• Represents a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables;• Familiar to children;• Affordable when purchased in season;• Easy to use for classroom taste testing;• Recommended by school produce buyers for seasonal
availability and cost.• Aligned with Network for a Healthy California
Campaigns and Programs.
Components of HOM ProgramTaste Test
Nutrition Education
Resources
Components of HOM Program Taste Test
• 6 Taste Tests this year:– November – Persimmon – January – Mandarin – February – Broccoli – March – Peas – April – Greens – May – Strawberries
Components of HOM Program – Nutrition Education
• Differs from Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program;
• Nutrition Education elements– Educator Newsletter– Family Newsletter– Workbooks– Posters– Calendars– Fruit and Vegetable cards
HOM Wellness Champion Tasks5th Grade Assessment
• Facilitate the 5th Grade Pre-assessment in October (and then the post-assessment in late May/June).
• Determine baseline understanding of healthy eating and physical activity and then any growth over the year.
HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Activity Data
• Track the minutes devoted to the HOM Nutrition Education Program.
• Key task for grant accountability.
HOM Wellness Champion TasksTaste Test Facilitation
• 6 times per year you will facilitate the Taste Test.
• Logistical details…..
HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education
• Distribute Educator Newsletter to teachers at your site for every taste test.
• Treasure Hunt…
HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education
• Family Newsletter -- some translated versions are available at: http://www.harvestofthemonth.cdph.ca.gov/EdCorner/translated-newsletter.asp
HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education
• Workbooks – K-5– Additional blank pages inserted for nutrition-
related prompts and/or classroom connections.
HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education
• Calendars (coming in January);• Stickers (for K-2 students only);• Nutrition lessons on OUSD Website:
www.ousd.k12.ca.us/nutritioneducation• Re-Think Your Drink materials – next meeting
in February.
Advantages of Site-Facilitated HOM
• Conversations about Nutrition – on-going.• Integrate with other school-wide or
classroom-wide events/activities.• Cafeteria connections and Produce Market
connections.
HOM Wellness Champion TasksBEYOND
• HOM Updates at staff meetings;• HOM bulletin board (Updated for each new
produce item); • HOM-integrated activities at school events –
publicize, positively reinforce and spotlight participants who integrate HOM in classroom and beyond;
• Document success stories (photos, articles, etc.)
