Extension Professional: Holbert, Patricia D

Title: Promoting Healthy Snacks to Youth

Outcome Type: Initial

Cool School is a week long summer school program coordinated by the Family Resource Centers. In 2017 it had 125 children participating from grades 1 thru 5. Each grade attends a one hour session each day for five consecutive days. The LaRue County Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant demonstrated how to prepare healthy snacks using a variety of fruits and vegetables each day.

125 youth learned about MyPlate and portion size to help them distinguish and identify healthy choices. The EFNEP assistant taught hands-on classes demonstrating food safety, knife skills and correct measuring techniques. The skills learned gave the children confidence to prepare their own snacks. Many children were willing to experiment by sampling produce they have never tried before. As a result, 90 % of the children said they would choose to prepare and eat healthier snacks in the future.