According to a study that was completed by the National Institutes of Health, children in the United States are consuming almost three snacks per day and those snacks account for up to 27 percent of that child’s daily caloric intake. Snacking has not only grown over the years but children are eating more snacks that are high in calories, sodium and sugars. In the study completed by the National Institutes of Health elementary school aged children tend to be snacking more on salty snacks and candy rather than fruits and vegetables. This study not only found that snacking has increased over time but also that the portion of the snack has grown as well. Children of this age are also drinking more fruit drinks, sport drinks and fruit juice rather than snacking on fruit. When children have unhealthy snacking and eating habits this can lead to various health problems such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease; unhealthy snacking and eating habits can also lead to poor academic performance. According to the Journal of Nutrition obese school-aged children are between 3.9-6.5 times more likely to become obese adults compared to non-obese school-aged children.  The right time to teach children healthy eating habits is when they are young such as elementary school aged children which is the perfect age to teach those important habits. 

Muhlenberg County Cooperative Extension Services partnered with Central City Elementary School to present a program call Food Explorers to fight against unhealthy snacking and to teach school aged children healthy eating habits. This program involved the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, the 4-H Youth Development Agent, SNAP Assistant and 4-H Program assistant. Food Explorers was presented 6 months out of the school year during lunchtime at the elementary school. During the Food Explorers program around 424 students were presented a healthy snack sample to try. The samples varied each month, some examples included broccoli salad, granola crunch, humus dip and blueberry muffins made with Greek yogurt. Each month the sample included food from a food group that most children do not eat such as fruits and vegetables. Also the samples were snacks that were low in calories, sugar and sodium. 

After sampling the healthy snacks 3^rd and 4^th grade students were evaluated on the sample. The students were asked three questions each month. The results from the evaluations are listed below.  

Questions and Responses:

1. I tried a new food today:
   1. 89%, yes           b. 11%, no
2. I will ask for this food at home:
   1. 59%, yes           b. 41%, no
3. I like the way the food tasted:
   1. 70%, yes           b. 30%, no

The results from the Food Explorers program demonstrates that majority of the students tried a healthy snack that they had never had before because of this program. Also more than half of the students evaluated stated they will ask for a healthy snack at home rather than turning to junk food. Due to the Food Explorers program more students enjoyed tasting and enjoying healthy snacks, hopefully this program has instilled healthy eating habits that will prevent obesity and other health complications in the students’ future.