3-A-Day Grant Winners
Pennsbury Learns 3-A-Day of Dairy All Year
Pennsbury School District, Fallsington, Pa.
As a 3-A-Day of Dairy Nutrition Education Grant recipient, Amy Brinton, RD, LDN, a nutrition educator with Metz & Associates, conducted dairy-filled learning opportunities throughout the 2007-2008 school year. Approximately 3,500 students in kindergarten through eighth-grade participated in activities to learn about the nutritional benefits of milk, yogurt and cheese.
3-A-Day of Dairy Celebrations
In the fall, elementary students throughout the district celebrated 3-A-Dairy of Dairy events. Decorated with 3-A-Day and cow-motif balloons, large cow cutouts, banners and posters, school cafeterias were the place to be. Nutrition presentations and materials highlighted the benefits of Milk Group foods. Guest chefs made and served Purple Cow Smoothies. Students received goodie bags filled with educational materials and kid-friendly 3-A-Day items. Brinton reinforced the 3-A-Day message during the month of February with dairy fun facts, posters and signage.
The New Look of School Milk guy, Mr. Milky, visited students on May 7 to celebrate ACES Day – All Children Exercising Simultaneously. This event encouraged all students to participate in a group exercise to promote the importance of being physically active. Mr. Milky reminded students that the key to building strong bones is eating a healthful diet, including 3-A-Day of Dairy, and physical activity.
Think Your Drink!
Thought-provoking displays and taste-testing encouraged middle-school students to think about the beverages they drink. Students performed “Moo Magic” by adding flavorings to lowfat milk and sampled an assortment of beverages that the foodservice department will offer in the cafeteria in response to the district’s Wellness Policy.
Go Yogurt!
Family and consumer sciences students sampled yogurt and completed a short survey about yogurt preferences. The purpose of the sampling was to increase awareness of the availability of yogurt in the cafeteria and provide teachers with an opportunity to highlight the 3-A-Day of Dairy message in their nutrition units.
According to Brinton, the activities conducted as part of the grant empowered students to be advocates for healthful eating. Offering exciting nutrition education activities and opportunities to sample and enjoy different dairy products motivated students to share the information with their families and friends.