Sandy Hill Elementary celebrates Childhood Nutrition Day

Images: Dorchester County Public Schools

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Several community partners recently came together to highlight the importance of trying new foods and living a healthy lifestyle, as part of the celebration of Childhood Nutrition Day at a local elementary school.

On Wednesday, October 17th, several local community members came together to host a day long assembly at Sandy Hill Elementary School to highlight the importance of childhood nutrition. Community members in attendance included the Dorchester Career and Technology Culinary (DCTC) Arts Program led by Chef Charlene Zinnel, member of the American Culinary Foundation, Nate Brako, Nutrition Educator for the University of Maryland Extension Program, Leslie Bishop, Director of MidShore Meals Til Monday, and the Judy Center.

Each student, in their own custom-made chef hat, was encouraged to sample new foods that were introduced to them during the assembly rotations. DCTC Culinary Arts students received food and nutritional training prior to the event, and were responsible for leading each station. Students in kindergarten through second grades tried three different types of apples and pumpkin parfait, while students in grades three through five tried fruit kabobs and strawberry banana smoothies. Pre-K classrooms were visited by Chef Combo, who encouraged the students to try pumpkin parfait.

All students visited Mrs. Bishop’s Cranberry to Craisin & Raisin station, where they sampled the tartness of cranberries before they became craisins, as well as tasting dehydrated apples.

At the end of the day, all students were given the chance to vote on the new foods that they tried. We’re told that 100% of the students enjoyed trying new foods, with the rest of the results as follows:

• 70% of Kindergarten through 2nd graders enjoyed trying apples
• 55% of Pre-K through 2nd graders  enjoyed trying pumpkin
• 40% of Kindergarten through 2nd graders enjoyed trying dried cranberry, raisins, grapes, and apples
• 71% of 3rd through 5th grade students enjoyed fruit kabobs
• 70% of 3rd through 5th grade students enjoyed the fruit smoothies
• 35% of 3rd through 5th grade students enjoyed trying dried cranberry, raisins, grapes, and apples

Childhood Nutrition Day is typically celebrated on or around October 16th, and focuses on the need for education about childhood hunger, proper nutrition, and obesity issues. Since the campaign launched back in 1995, hundreds of chefs across the nation have participated in events in their local communities to feed hungry children and promote awareness of proper nutrition.