According to the Dietary Guidelines of 2015–2020, in the United States, 90% of children are not meeting their daily vegetable needs.  In Kentucky, only 4.7% of adults are getting in their proper servings of fruits and vegetables a day.    When encouraging school age children to try new foods, especially fruits and vegetables, most adults are met with an emphatic “EW!”.  This is where having a tool such as Professor Popcorn in your arsenal becomes a great asset.  The Daviess County Nutrition Education Program partnered with the Owensboro Family YMCA to tackle nutrition aspect of Body in their motto of Mind, Body and Spirit.   

                Beginning in June 2021, the Daviess County Nutrition Education Program Assistant, armed with the Professor Popcorn curriculum, visited the Owensboro Family YMCA’s summer camp once a week to work with Kindergarten thru 5^th grade groups.  Each group had a lesson tailored just for their age group to learn about each food group.  52 children participated overall in the weekly sessions.  At the end of each session, children took home different Professor Popcorn recipes to share with their families.  Sending the recipes home not only continued the discussion of what the children learned at the summer camp, but shared information with other members of the family.  

                By the end of the lessons, 21% of K – 2nd and 37% of 3rd – 5th grade students improved their healthy snack choices.  Of the 3rd – 5th grade students, vegetables as a snack increased 37% and fruit as a snack increased 34%.  47% of 3 – 5 graders improved eating vegetables at lunch.  

                The Daviess County Nutrition Program Assistant had an opportunity to meet one of the parents of a Kindergarten student attending the Owensboro Family YMCA camp and said, “I am so impressed at what you are teaching my daughter.  She has been more willing to try new fruits and vegetables now!  She always says – I need to take a Hello Bite!  This was a great addition to the summer camp!”