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Nutrition Integration in the Classroom

Food provides educators with a nutritional content area that is relevant to students from all cultures. The importance of providing nutrition education to students for overall health and learning cannot be overstated. This module offers educators suggestions on how to integrate taste testing, cooking, and nutrition education into academic lessons and classroom activities while reinforcing the California Common Core State Standards and the Health Education Content Standards using 21st Century learning strategies.

Part 1 of 5: Obesity in Schools

 Resources

  • Obesity in California, June 2015

    Using data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), this report examines variations in the prevalence of obesity, as well as income and racial/ethnic disparities, between 2001 and 2011-2012. It also examines health behaviors related to obesity and neighborhood environmental factors that can contribute to or mitigate obesity risk.

    This study was developed with funding from The California Endowment.

Part 2 of 5: Nutrition Education in the Classroom

 Resources

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

    SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families and provides economic benefits to communities
  • CalFresh

    CalFresh (federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP) is a federally mandated, state-supervised, and county-operated government entitlement program that provides monthly food benefits to assist low-income households in purchasing the food they need to maintain adequate nutritional levels.
  • Have a Plant: Fruit and Veggies for Better Health

    This organization supports an initiative to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables to improve the health of Americans.
  • California School Garden Network

    The mission of this Network is to plant and sustain a fruit and vegetable garden in every willing California school.
  • California Afterschool Network (CAN)

    This Network offers resources and tools for developing quality after school programs including afterschool health resources.
  • School Health Guidelines

    Nine research-based guidelines were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • School Nutrition Association

    The School Nutrition Association Web site includes resources, articles, and research to support healthy meals and health and nutrition in schools.
  • USDA Local School Wellness Policy

    This site outlines the importance of local wellness policies as a tool for parents, local educational agencies (LEAs) and school districts to promote student wellness.
  • CDE Local School Wellness Policy

    Access information regarding the LSWP requirements, background, compliance, training, resources, and policy guidance.
  • California School Board Association (CSBA)

    The CSBA provides guidance to governing boards and administrators for effective policies to advance the education and well-being of school-age children.
  • Local School Wellness Policy Resources

    Resources for Local School Wellness Policies on Nutrition and Physical Activity.
  • USDA Team Nutrition Resources

Part 3 of 5: Harvest of the Month

 Resources

Part 4 of 5: Standards Connections

 Resources

Part 5 of 5: Cooking in the Classroom

 Resources

  • Cook with Kids Resource Page

    This list of resources includes handouts on handwashing, food safety, knife skills, and guidance for guidance for age-appropriate cooking opportunities for students.
  • Kids Cook Farm Fresh

    The Kids Cook Farm-Fresh Food curriculum contains instructions for cooking in the classroom and conducting food tastings and a collection of lessons and recipes for grades kindergarten to grade seven.
  • Cooking with Potter the Otter

  • Team Nutrition Cooks!

    Team Nutrition Cooks! is a series of cooking-based nutrition activities for children ages 8 to 12 years.
  • CDE COOK with Kids!

    Access this free course to learn how cooking with children benefits their health and school performance