Discovering Healthy Choices Through Nutrition Education in the Classroom

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

Three important missions of Henrico County Public School (HCPS) Nutrition Services are to provide the best food service possible by serving nutritious and appealing food, providing outstanding customer service and contributing to the quality of the student’s educational experience. In support of these missions, School Nutrition Services (SNS) created the Food Explorers: Virginia Fresh & Local. Food Explorers integrates lessons focused on nutrition, physical activity and agriculture in the classroom.During the 2011-2012 school years, School Nutrition Services, School Health Nurses, the Virginia Department of Health and Field of Dreams Farm partnered to offer this program to second grade students. The program provides students not only education, but also hands-on learning experiences. Lessons, which are presented each month from November through May, also incorporate the Virginia Standards of Learning objectives for math, science, English and health.Students need essential nutrients from vitamins and minerals in their diet that are found in fruits and vegetables. Studies show that students who have a better diet quality have improved academic performance. Because of Food Explorers, HCPS students appear to have an increased understanding and knowledge of Virginia-grown produce and are more likely to eat it.