Local Matters is a Columbus-based non-profit organization designed to help the community learn about food, and not just how to eat it, but how food can impact lives. Their mission is to teach people good practices with food that will in turn help our health, the environment, and the economy. They have an amazing program called Food is Elementary based off of a curriculum designed by Dr. Antonia Demas, which focuses on instruction that teaches children in grades kindergarten through second about good nutrition, where food comes from, and how to prepare it.
“The Food is Educators Program works very well at Brookside as it integrates into our Community Vegetable Garden and our Schoolyard Enhanced Learning approach to teaching. This program is also very aligned with Ohio’s Educational Standards and gives children direct experiences with food and preparing food,” said Principal Monroe of Brookside Elementary in Worthington. Monroe introduced the program to the school in January 2009 and the students love it. “We get to bake every week!” said a very excited first grader.
A team from Local Matters goes into a school once a week and introduces various foods. For example, one week the lesson is about food in Mexico. The students learn how to make black bean dip, guacamole, salsa, and use multi-grain chips and vegetables as dippers. Local Matters brings all of the necessities with them for the lesson: the instructor, the food, the preparation devices, the books or music if appropriate, and the love for kids. The students get to help with all of the food prep, ask questions, and of course – eat! Lessons in culture, growing practices, and sustainable living are also incorporated. There are many schools in the Columbus, Worthington, and Circleville school districts, CDC Headstart and Learning Never Ends that have instituted the Food is Elementary program.
“It is so rewarding when a parent tell us that they are making better choices at home. We know we are making a difference,” said Trish Dehnbostel, Programming Manager of Local Matters. Trish heads up the program and explained that the lessons are designed to cross curriculum to help students make connections. For instance, reading a recipe and doing measurements is an instruction in math. The recipes are sent home to the parents on an informational sheet, and the sheet also includes suggestions for getting your kids to try new foods.
Take a look at a few helpful tips:
- Involve your children in meal preparation.
- Model healthy eating for your family.
- Don’t use reward or pressure to encourage children to eat new and healthy foods.
Local Matters doesn’t stop with the Food is Elementary program, they can also help implement a school garden. Teaching children from the ground up about food is a great way to introduce and hopefully maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you would like more information on the Food is Elementary program or for volunteer information with Local Matters, please check out the Local Matters website at www.local-matters.org or contact Trish Dehnbostel at [email protected] or 614-263-5662. Information about Dr. Antonia Demas’ curriculum can be found at www.foodstudies.org.
Kristin Marks is a Columbus Underground contributor, and can be found blogging about kid-friendly activities in Central Ohio over at cbusmom.com. She can be reached at [email protected].