Purdue Extension Nutrition Education Program Advisor, Danica Williams, recently taught the CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) curriculum to children, along with some of their parents, at the summer feeding program at Rockport Elementary in Rockport, Indiana. Each of the four lessons provided a nutrition-related lesson, physical activity component, and a healthy snack.

Erin Meyer, Nutrition Education Program Community Wellness Coordinator, arranged for a free farmers market with produce provided by the local school garden. The healthy snacks featured vegetables from the farmers market. One example featured raw squash strips with homemade dip. One child liked the squash so much, he was sneaking back for more samples! His mother had never tried raw squash, but she appreciated how delicious and easy to prepare it was. One teenage group discovered how much they liked hummus and vegetables and were able to take the recipe home to make with the farmers market vegetables they received.

Kids of all ages loved the physical activity games. They took home flying discs and jump ropes with plans to be more active during their summer. They also set goals for less screen time! 2,600 meals were served through the summer feeding program at the three Spencer County sites that participated. 350 kids participated in the farmers market with 300 pounds of produce given out from the onsite school gardens!