Harvest of the Month Nutrition Education Wellness Champions

Harvest of the Month

Nutrition Education Wellness Champions

What is Harvest of the Month? (HOM)

• Federally-funded program;• Implemented through the Network for a

Healthy California grant;• Offered to low-resource school districts.

Why HOM?

• Increase students’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Increase students’ knowledge of and familiarity with the rich agricultural bounty of California.

• Potential to positively change eating and activity behaviors.

Criteria for HOM Fruits and Vegetables

• California grown;• In-season during the month featured;• Represents a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables;• Familiar to children;• Affordable when purchased in season;• Easy to use for classroom taste testing;• Recommended by school produce buyers for seasonal

availability and cost.• Aligned with Network for a Healthy California

Campaigns and Programs.

Components of HOM ProgramTaste Test

Nutrition Education

Resources

Components of HOM Program Taste Test

• 6 Taste Tests this year:– November – Persimmon – January – Mandarin – February – Broccoli – March – Peas – April – Greens – May – Strawberries

Components of HOM Program – Nutrition Education

• Differs from Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program;

• Nutrition Education elements– Educator Newsletter– Family Newsletter– Workbooks– Posters– Calendars– Fruit and Vegetable cards

HOM Wellness Champion Tasks5th Grade Assessment

• Facilitate the 5th Grade Pre-assessment in October (and then the post-assessment in late May/June).

• Determine baseline understanding of healthy eating and physical activity and then any growth over the year.

HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Activity Data

• Track the minutes devoted to the HOM Nutrition Education Program.

• Key task for grant accountability.

HOM Wellness Champion TasksTaste Test Facilitation

• 6 times per year you will facilitate the Taste Test.

• Logistical details…..

HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education

• Distribute Educator Newsletter to teachers at your site for every taste test.

• Treasure Hunt…

HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education

• Family Newsletter -- some translated versions are available at: http://www.harvestofthemonth.cdph.ca.gov/EdCorner/translated-newsletter.asp

HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education

• Workbooks – K-5– Additional blank pages inserted for nutrition-

related prompts and/or classroom connections.

HOM Wellness Champion TasksNutrition Education

• Calendars (coming in January);• Stickers (for K-2 students only);• Nutrition lessons on OUSD Website:

www.ousd.k12.ca.us/nutritioneducation• Re-Think Your Drink materials – next meeting

in February.

Advantages of Site-Facilitated HOM

• Conversations about Nutrition – on-going.• Integrate with other school-wide or

classroom-wide events/activities.• Cafeteria connections and Produce Market

connections.

HOM Wellness Champion TasksBEYOND

• HOM Updates at staff meetings;• HOM bulletin board (Updated for each new

produce item); • HOM-integrated activities at school events –

publicize, positively reinforce and spotlight participants who integrate HOM in classroom and beyond;

• Document success stories (photos, articles, etc.)

Questions?

nancy.midlin@ousd.k12.ca.us

joyce.peters@ousd.k12.ca.us