Monday, October 18, 2021
Media Contact:
Trisha Gedon | Communications Specialist | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
College students at Zion Public Faculty in Stilwell, Oklahoma, just lately put aside their conventional
studying, writing and arithmetic research for classes on wholesome consuming, produce and
budgeting.
Greater than 100 college students in first via third grades had a chance to buy at
the Cellular Farmers Market arrange within the college’s gymnasium, because of the Excessive Weight problems
Prevention Program via Oklahoma State University Extension.
Jessie Collins, HOP Program educator, stated the purpose of the Cellular Market was to assist kids study
concerning the number of fruit and veggies accessible, in addition to find out how to finances $15
in “veggie bucks” they needed to spend. College students took residence 654.2 kilos in contemporary fruits
and greens, which have been paid for via a grant from the Farm to School program and the HOP Program. All the produce got here from the Muskogee Farmers Market
and the Arnold Fruit Co. After making their picks, the scholars had a chance
to style contemporary peaches.
“By making a farmers market, we’re exposing kids to lots of totally different fruits
and greens, and hopefully they’ll strive one thing new,” she stated. “Additionally they had
to finances their veggie bucks and resolve what they wished to purchase. One factor I did discover
was among the college students would purchase issues they didn’t like however knew others of their
household did.”
This was Collins’ second go to to Zion Public Faculty. The primary time the scholars
went residence with pre-packaged luggage of produce. Nevertheless, she wished the kids to get
a extra hands-on expertise and set it up like a farmers market to permit them to make
their very own decisions.
“Youngsters are more likely to strive one thing new in the event that they get to select it out and in addition
if they assist put together it at residence,” she stated.
First-grader Aalyah Proctor selected cucumbers, onions, radishes, inexperienced beans, apples,
zucchini and squash to take residence to her household, together with a pint-size pumpkin for
vacation ornament.
“I like the best way my grandma cooks zucchini in a skillet, however cucumbers and apples are
my favorites,” Proctor stated.
Third-grader Blane Sidebottom purchased pears, squash, cucumbers and apples. He likes
fruit and veggies and was wanting ahead to making an attempt the pears.
“I like to assist cook dinner at residence and I do know greens are good for my physique as a result of they’re
wholesome,” Sidebottom stated. “I’d make soup out of the stuff I purchased.”
Sharon VanDevender, a diet training assistant in Adair County’s OSU Extension office, works with the school-age kids and teaches classes about good diet and
find out how to make smart choices about meals decisions. On the Cellular Farmers Market, she was
busy weighing everybody’s purchases.
“I actually like working with the youngsters, and the academics listed here are nice,” VanDevender
stated. “I like to offer the youngsters easy recipes with just some substances can that
be contemporary or canned.”
Lainey Porter, president of the Wholesome Oklahoma Diet Alliance, stated HONA typically
companions with OSU Extension and at all times is glad to search out methods such because the Cellular Farmers
Market to reveal children to wholesome, nutritious meals.
“Making kids conscious of varied wholesome meals, particularly these which are regionally
sourced, is considered one of HONA’s objectives,” Porter stated. “By this group, I attempt to
emphasize how a lot worth there’s in procuring at a farmers market.”
There are a number of packages that enable Supplemental Diet Assistant Program (SNAP)
recipients to double their shopping for energy for contemporary fruit and veggies. The Double Up Food Bucks program will match SNAP profit {dollars} so recipients should purchase twice as many fruits
and greens.
Collins stated the HOP Program started in 2018 and is offered in Adair and Muskogee
counties.
“The weight problems price right here is over 40%. By HOP, we’re making an attempt to minimize the excessive weight problems
price so folks can stay more healthy lives by making more healthy meals decisions,” she stated.
For extra details about the HOP Program, contact Collins by telephone at 918-214-6125
or by way of e mail at jessie.garcia@okstate.edu.
