Montgomery County

Jessica Reed, SNAP-Ed Program Assistant

SNAP-Ed Improves School Nutrition 

Many school age children in Eastern Kentucky are missing out on the knowledge of a healthy lifestyle. Through cooperation with Montgomery County Schools, SNAP- Education is providing nutrition classes to first grade at Northview Elementary, and second grade at Camargo Elementary with OrganWise curriculum to provide students with this knowledge. 

It is very important to learn to make healthy choice each day, especially deciding what to eat, how much, and how to exercise. Studies show that starting healthy daily routine at an early age helps  promote long term changes, and helps to prevent diseases related to an unhealthy lifestyle choices later in life. The students were excited to learn about their organs, and how to keep them healthy from the inside out. Many of the students had never seen their foods as healthy or unhealthy, and how it affects their body. MyPlate was also used as a tool to help the students understand the difference between the food groups, and the importance of each group. During the course the students saw the importance of hand washing before eating, and the benefits of being physical activity.

The students made a class “Bone Bank” as they learned about their bones with Calci M. Bone. Eating low-fat yogurt, low-fat cheese, and skim milk were examples of ways to get their calcium in each day. Students drew pictures of their chosen way to take in calcium.  They learned the need for calcium for their age group now, and how not getting enough calcium at the present time can affect how much is stored for later years.  

The students worked together in each class making a “Healthy Rainbow” to display in the classroom to help the students think about the choices they make each day with their snacks. This is a way to improve fruit and vegetable consumption in the classrooms.

Upon completion of the course 91% of the students improved in knowledge in one or more core area. There were 19% improved in being active, 38% improved in healthy snacks, 36% improved in vegetables, 53% improved in diary food, 28% improved in fruit and 62% improved in food safety. A parent of a student from a first grade classroom remarked, “ My daughter comes home each day after your class telling what all she has learned as we are eating supper. She used to be such a food junkie and loved sweets, now she is thinking about the choices she is making and trying new foods at the table. She really enjoys the class.”

Montgomery County SNAP-Ed Assistants are excited about the progress being made by the students, and thank the Montgomery County Schools for the opportunity to teach there.  Plans are to continue educating students on healthy lifestyle choices in the future to help prevent the incidence of obesity and chronic disease later in life.