Nutrition classes teach kids healthy recipes
“Who can name some fruits and vegetables that are the color red?” asks Molly Burke, Program Manager of Nutrition Education at the Food Bank, to a group of excited 1st graders. And so begins a lively and energetic lesson on “eating the rainbow” — an exercise where kids have the chance to talk about the nutritional benefits (and deliciousness) of all the red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple produce that they can think of.
After learning about all the great things fruits and vegetables can do for their health, the students then help to cook the rainbow! Crunchy cabbage, carrots, snap peas, bell peppers, chicken and a homemade salad dressing are combined to make a Zesty Asian Chicken Salad.
“I love seeing kids get excited about eating healthy foods,” Molly says amongst shouts of “yum!” and “can I have some more?” “I hope this class encourages the students to continue eating colorful meals moving forward.”