EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION Nutrition Education at Summer Food Service Program Sites April 30, 2013

Welcome Community Nutrition TEAM! " When school lets out, millions of low-income children no longer get a healthy breakfast or lunch, but USDA's summer meals program helps to fill that gap and is an invaluable investment in the future of America's children. Poor nutrition during the summer months can have a negative impact on a child's health, as well as their academic performance during the school year. Communities across the nation can work with us to ensure that all children have access to healthy foods, all year long.” Comments by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack 4/18/13

USDA Goals Healthy hunger-free children Coordinate Services – food assistance and nutrition education programs working together to enhance participant’s health and wellness while not duplicating services Communicate Outcomes – making sure that funders and others know the results of the services

The Situation Poor diet and physical inactivity contribute to overweight and obesity Almost 15% of American households have inadequate food Children are important focus Sources of calories of children & adolescents USDA funded nutrition education and food assistance programs Sources: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and NHANES

Partnering Nutrition Education with SFSP Sponsors

Definitions Open sites operate in low-income areas where at least 50 percent of children residing in the area are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals, based on local school or census data. The meals are served free to any child at the site on a first-come, first-serve basis.

More Definitions Closed enrolled sites are established for a specific group of children who enroll in an organized activity program or who do not reside in an eligible low income area. The site becomes eligible for SFSP if at least half of the enrolled children qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Because the site is not open to the community, meals are served free only to enrolled children.

BUILDING PARTNERS FOR THE SFSP NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM

Why Run an Activities Program? Combining good meals with engaging activities at a SFSP site will help in two ways: –more children will come to the site, thus increasing and stabilizing attendance and improving financial stability; and –well-nourished children will be able to take better advantage of the developmental opportunities offered in your activity program.

How Can Partners Work Together? Partner with an SFSP sponsor in your area, interested organizations will welcome the skills and experience OSUE Community Nutrition Programs bring to enhance their activities program. Volunteers from such an organization should be able to assist you with supervision, and may be able to help publicize your Program.

Setting up Your Program Goal: Coordinate Services for Positive Nutrition Education –Partner USDA food assistance (SFSP) with nutrition education programs (SNAP-Ed at SFSP sites) Series of programs that include same children –4 to 8 lessons Each program a minimum of 30 minutes in length Small groups of children of similar age preferred Coordinate food-related activities with meals served Consider including a “celebration” and invite parents to see what the child has learned and experienced.

Develop Your Plan Contact Sponsor Agency(ies) to learn and share: –What is OSU Extension Community Nutrition (EFNEP/SNAP-Ed) and who are the sponsor agency’s leader and site directors? –What are the objectives of your curricula and how can nutrition education enhance the food assistance experience at the SFSP site? –When is the SFSP offered and how can you work together to schedule programs? –Where are the sites?

Develop Your Plan cont’d Select program dates and times with site director(s) Write down and agree upon details –Session topic for each program – children like “themes” –Beginning and ending time for each group –Ages of target group, number of children in each group –Location for program at the event site –Amenities (table, volunteers, shelter, etc.) –Education enhancements –Promotion plan Have a communication plan with Site Director/Sponsor Agency Reference website:

EFNEP-SFSP PROGRAM ARRANGEMENT To: From: OSU Extension EFNEP SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM (SFSP) Arrangement OSU Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) is committed to providing interactive nutrition education to the youth participating in your SFSP. We are glad you are interested in utilizing our program! To serve you better, we have outlined the work we plan to do and our expectations of you and your site. If these arrangements are acceptable please acknowledge with a reply or by signing this letter at the bottom and returning a copy to me by. We are looking forward to working with you! The EFNEP Program Assistant will: Teach a series of nutrition lessons using the EFNEP Youth for SFSP curriculum. The sessions cover basic nutrition, MyPlate concepts and focuses on dairy and fruits and vegetables, food safety; and physical activity. The sessions are interactive and provide many activities to make interactive and engaging. Schedule, cancel, or reschedule if necessary, in a timely way, to avoid inconvenience to your program. Provide a summary of the SFSP outcomes for your county. As a Sponsor or Site Director you will: Set up the room for EFNEP classes. Provide volunteers or staff during the lesson to assist with group management and some activities. If possible, during registration time, request that parents sign a picture release form so that we can take pictures during the sessions. Inform the EFNEP Program Assistant of program cancellations at least one day in advance if unable to keep the appointment. To provide a separate activity, if possible, for children younger than 5 years old. If we need to make any adjustments to these arrangements, please give me a call at. We are looking forward to hearing from you and working with you Sincerely, Title phone

Next Steps for Setting Up Your Nutrition Education Program at SFSP Sites

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