Working with Families English as Second Language 

The Nutrition Education Program Assistant in Mercer County reach out to with Mercer County School ESL Teacher that work with the families and students (English as second language) to see if she could reach out to the Hispanic Families to see we could introduce them to what our county Extension Office has to offer to the community. The NEP offered a nutrition cooking class. The families agree to come out to the Mercer County Extension Office where the NEP was able to teach a lesson on Planning Meals, each person got to make their own personal MyPlate Pizza’s.  We used whole wheat flour tortillas, with a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein and cheeses. They got to choose the items they wanted and ask to try new items on a section of the pizza. The families were very happy to come. 100% stated they liked the pizzas and would make them again at home with their families. The families agreed to let NEP be a part of the summer program that was held at the school for 8 weeks. Organ Wise curriculum about gardening was used, each week the children got to hear a story and learn about gardening as well as eat and use vegetables and fruits. Some of the activities the students got to do make cream cheese bagels with strawberries then take a strawberry plant home.  make dill pickles and start their own cucumbers plant from seed, make salsa take home tomato plant. The kids had a great summer. They really enjoyed the cucumber lemon aide.