As part of the St Catherine School Farm to School Program, Ronda Rex from the Campbell County Cooperative Extension Service was asked by teacher, Shannon West, to teach the “Creating a Serving Size and MyPlate” sections of the USDA Farm to School Curriculum.  According to the USDA Farm to School program curriculum, “Kentucky currently ranks among the most obese states in the United States and is also among the states with the lowest per capita consumption of fruits and vegetables.”  According to Kentucky State University research, “Kentucky families have poor nutrition habits, including consumption of foods high in fats and sodium and low in fiber.”  “It can be difficult for students to visualize what 1 cup of cereal or 3 ounces of meat look like. During this activity, students can create their own kit for estimating serving sizes so they can more accurately determine what they are eating.”(USDA)

Ronda Rex, Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences Education, created 12 “Train the Trainer” Kits (see photo below) for St. Catherine to use each year as part of their Farm to School curriculum.  Ronda and Mrs. West’s goal was to train 12 eighth grade students using the Portion/MyPlate Kits to equip and empower the students to train younger students about making healthier food choices.   Ronda trained 12 eighth graders through Google Meet following the University of KY and St Catherine School pandemic protocol.   The training focused on:  the difference between serving sizes vs. portion sizes, MyPlate model, making healthier choices, trying more fruits and vegetables and rethinking drink options.  University of Kentucky Making Healthy Food Choices curriculum and publications were used along with the USDA curriculum.   

End of program evaluations resulted in 12 eighth grade students were trained to train younger students in Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices.  A one-month follow-up with Mrs. West resulted in the 12 trained eighth grade students utilized the kits and trained 24 kindergartners and 9 second grade students about the difference between serving sizes vs. portion sizes, the MyPlate model, making healthier food choices, trying more fruits and vegetables and rethinking drink options.  The kits will remain in Mrs. West’s classroom to continue with the “Train the Trainer” model each year as part of their Farm to School Program.  The “Train the Trainer” kits cost approximately $25.00 each which saved St. Catherine School approximately $300.00 total.    

Sources:

https://www.kysu.edu/academics/college-acs/school-of-ace/co-op-new/nutrition.php

https://www.kyagr.com/consumer/documents/FD_FS_Curriculum.pdf