Tapping into my Creative Side in my Rotation at the All Faiths Food Bank

Food banks are located across the county and provide much needed nutrition to families, and especially children in need.  In my rotation this past week, I shadowed a dietitian who works at one of these food banks.  The dietitian at All Faiths Food Bank is incredibly energetic and truly gets joy from doing her job, and what a job she has!  She has found funding for and implemented a variety of nutrition education programs for both children and adults.  In addition, she serves as the dietitian for a local senior center.  This past week she spoke about brain health at a health fair being held for the public at the senior center.  Here are some highlights from this past week:

• Growing Healthy Kids:  This program is taught to preschool aged children and this month’s lesson was based on the vegetable food group.  I helped teach the class by reading a vegetable soup book, talking about the food groups, playing a mystery vegetable game and preparing a fresh vegetable taste test.  I was happy to see many of the children trying vegetables they had never eaten before and liking them! 

• Cooking Matters:  This is a class taught twice a week to a group of 15 kids ages 8-10.  We conducted whole grain nutrition lessons, cooked healthy recipes and did a grocery store tour.  The kids were so enthusiastic to help cook and to learn how to keep their bodies healthy through good nutrition. 

• Bowls of Hope:  This is an annual fundraiser held by the food bank.  Businesses and restaurants from around the area make a soup and serve bowls to the people attending the event.  It was great to participate in a community event that brought so many people together for a wonderful cause. 

My rotation at All Faiths Food Bank was jammed packed with activities each day, and provided many opportunities to practice my public speaking skills by teaching a variety of nutrition classes.  I also tapped into my creativity by planning a Kids Café menu with the food available at the food bank and designing my own Dairy Food Group lesson plan.  The only change I would make about this rotation would be to extend the rotation to two weeks!  
By: Amanda Bot