At North Washington County Middle School, healthy habits are starting young—and sticking. Through a partnership with the Nutrition Education Program Assistant from the Washington County Extension Office, 6th grade students recently completed a week long nutrition class designed to build lifelong skills in healthy eating and food safety.

The results show just how effective the program was:

·  83% increase in reading Nutrition Facts labels

·  71% increase in making healthier choices when eating out

·  68% increase in choosing whole grains

·  58% increase in eating more fruit

·  63% increase in using separate cutting boards for meat and produce

·  54% increase in washing fruits and vegetables

·  54% increase in washing hands before handling food

These aren’t just impressive numbers, they reflect real, practical changes in daily choices. Students learned how to fuel their bodies with the right foods, prevent cross-contamination in the kitchen, and take responsibility for their health in simple, age-appropriate ways.

Thanks to this partnership with the Washington County Extension Office, healthy habits are becoming second nature to these 6th graders—setting the stage for stronger bodies, smarter choices, and a healthier future.