SnackTime Explorers: Changing the Way Students Think About Food
With school back in session, it is time to talk about SnackTime Explorers!
SnackTime Explorers is a nutrition and food education program created in partnership between Pilot Light and FRESHEALTH, DNO Produce’s fresh-cut sister company. The program supports teachers participating in the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) with engaging mini-lessons, an educational toolkit, and program orientation. Participating teachers also receive stipends in recognition of the additional time they dedicate to the program. At the heart of SnackTime Explorers is a simple idea: education can help children build meaningful connections with fruits and vegetables. Through food education, students become more comfortable trying new foods while learning why fruits, vegetables, and balanced nutrition are important to their health.
Wayne-Westland Community Schools in Westland, Michigan, is a participating district in SnackTime Explorers and has seen a positive impact on its students’ connection to fruits and vegetables. One teacher shared, “The students absolutely loved the tastings. They took their roles as SnackTime Explorers VERY seriously. They were open, respectful, and curious during the tastings. Every child was willing to try, and most finished their samples.” SnackTime Explorers is changing the game for nutrition education.” After participating in SnackTime Explorers, teachers at Wayne-Westland have seen a positive educational impact in their classrooms as well. Teachers have found that using FFVP and SnackTime Explorers is a strong use of classroom instructional time and has led to students being more willing and excited to try new fruits and vegetables.
After participating in SnackTime Explorers, teachers at Wayne-Westland have seen a positive educational impact in their classrooms as well. Teachers have found that using FFVP and SnackTime Explorers is a strong use of classroom instructional time and has led to students being more willing and excited to try new fruits and vegetables.
“The student mindset has definitely changed since starting the program. Students are more open to trying new foods and are even proud of themselves when they try something new. Student language is more positive. They have moved away from saying things like, ‘Yuck’ or ‘That’s nasty,’ to saying, ‘That’s not for me,’ and ‘It’s okay if I don’t like it. I am proud of myself for trying it.’”
Throughout the school year, new students and teachers were added to the program, leading to a total of 551 students and 24 teachers participating and learning about their fruits and veggies!
Throughout the school year, new students and teachers were added to the program, leading to a total of 551 students and 24 teachers participating and learning about their fruits and veggies!
On the nutrition side, our program is trying to help alleviate the symptoms of one chronic issue: the diet-related disease crisis. Today, 50% of Americans have diabetes or are prediabetic, and 75% have a chronic diet-related condition. To help prevent future generations from developing these diseases, it is important to instill healthy eating habits in children. SnackTime Explorers is working to teach children these healthy eating habits by introducing them to new fruits and vegetables and educating them about nutrition.
After participating in the program, teachers found a significant positive impact on children’s understanding of nutrition and food. One teacher shared, “My students learned how to be more thoughtful about the things they eat and that there are so many more connections they have with food, the environment, and their ownership of their choices.” SnackTime Explorers allows children to be bolder about trying new foods, understand the connection they have to their food, and even changing their eating habits.
Teachers have also seen a positive impact on their students’ nutrition habits outside of the classroom. Teachers have received feedback from parents that some children are now asking for specific fruits and vegetables when they go to the grocery store or recognizing items they have tried before. They say things like, “Hey, I’ve tried this in my class!”
The format of the program has also contributed to this positive impact on students. One teacher explained, “My kids were willing to try new foods when they were presented in appealing ways and given information about the foods we were trying. Using the passports to document our journey meant that my kids would try at least one bite of each snack, which is more than students in previous years without SnackTime Explorers were willing to do.” SnackTime Explorers is changing children’s understanding of nutrition and creating a positive impact on their future health.
If this program sounds like something you would be interested in for your classroom or school, please join our webinar on September 15th titled, FFVP Basics: Getting More Out of Snack Time. This webinar will go over how FFVP and SnackTime Explorers can create meaningful food education experiences for students. We’ll be discussing perspectives from produce distribution, food education, school nutrition, and the classroom. We’ll cover the basics of FFVP, practical tips for running a successful program, ways to connect fresh produce to classroom learning, and real feedback from educators who have experienced the program firsthand. Register here for free: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_hRu4ar_nRpqZCPxUtniWsA
The deadline to sign up for the Fall Cohort of SnackTime Explorers is September 21st. This program will run for one semester (14 weeks). Register on the SnackTime Explorers website: https://pilotlight.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bvytpwAnSqafphI
We are so excited to expand this program and continue the impact it has made on children’s nutrition!
Happy Back to School!