In collaboration with the Jackson County Kindergarten Readiness parent group, the Tyner Family Resource center and the Grace Covenant ministries the SNAP-Ed Assistant from the Jackson County Cooperative Extension office taught an eight week program on nutrition using the Healthy Choices Curriculum. The goal of the group was to teach parents the importance of good nutrition so that their children will have a head start when they begin Kindergarten. It is a fact that children that eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast are better prepared for a day of activity and learning. This eight week program consisted of taste testing, food demonstrations and hands-on food prep consisting of food safety, proper hand washing and basic cooking skills. Parents were introduced to simple recipes, new fruits and vegetables that some had never tasted before.

Through the Nutrition Education Program’s Healthy Choices for everybody series, participants focus on building a healthier plate, preparing easy meals that taste great and also helps them save money at the grocery store. This eight week program also encouraged parents to involve their children in the food prep, therefore allowing them to spend more quality time with their child.