Made possible by the Clare-Gladwin Health Improvement Planning
Committee (a subgroup of Together We Can) in collaboration with the
Clare-Gladwin Great Start Collaborative, Clare-Gladwin RESD, and MidMichigan
Health, this year’s Food Day focused on food education. Activities and lessons
incorporated in the event encouraged children to know where their food comes
from, how to cook meals, and how doing so will give them a big advantage when
it comes to being healthy and avoiding health problems in the future.
Participants received a Food Day activity book, and each classroom
and daycare program was given a copy of a book developed by the Food and
Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture titled, “The Two Bite
Club,” which teaches kids to try foods from each food group.
Additionally, some groups explored the mission of National Food
Day further with hands-on activities.
Children in various daycare programs created a pumpkin dip and integrated
locally grown pumpkins into an art project, while S.P.A.R.K.S. students cooked multiple
dishes that incorporated locally grown, healthy fruits or vegetables. For
example, students from the Harrison Elementary S.P.A.R.K.S. site made homemade
salsa from the tomatoes they planted themselves in the school garden last
summer.
“National Food Day helped to educate our students on three things
– healthy food can be economical, easily accessible, and it can be found
locally,” said S.P.A.R.K.S. Director Keri Retzloff. “With our county health
ranking being among the lowest in the state, S.P.A.R.K.S. is trying to promote
and educate students on living a healthier lifestyle, including more
exercise and eating a healthy diet. This day fit in nicely!”
The students’ recipes will be used in a future S.P.A.R.K.S.
cookbook. Funds raised from cookbook
sales will be used toward a backpack program that addresses food security for
children in Clare and Gladwin counties.
“We participated in National Food Day because we thought the information
would be wonderful for the young children in our community,” said Sarah Kile of
the Clare-Gladwin Health Improvement Planning Committee. “This year’s
celebration was a big success and we look forward to bringing the program to
kids again next year.”
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