Nutrition education resources promote healthy habits, local foods

Explore new nutritional resources available for schools and communities to help support nutrition education, healthy eating habits and physical activity for children.

Created with funds from a 2021 Iowa Team Nutrition grant, the fact sheet posters and learning activity sheets are intended to teach kids about new foods, encourage taste testing, encourage the use and implementation of Iowa local foods and promote learning about new foods through fun physical activities.

These nutrition education tools are aimed at elementary school students and can be used by teachers, teachers' aides, school staff, parents and other caregivers. Fact sheet posters can be posted throughout school buildings, in classrooms, hallways or cafeterias. Materials include facts about locally grown and produced foods featured in the Iowa Student Culinary Competition now standardized for use in school cafeterias.

Examples of fun facts about broccoli on one of 12 fact sheet posters include:

• Broccoli are vegetables which grow as florets (clusters of flower buds) on stalks (stems).
• Choose fresh broccoli with a firm stem and tightly packed, dark green heads.
• Fresh broccoli is available year-round but may be freshest and cost less when in season. In Iowa, this is usually in June and July.
• Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K.
• Broccoli can be eaten many ways: raw, roasted, steamed, microwaved, air-fried, sautéed or boiled.

Learning activity sheets are divided into three areas (Learning Activity, Observation, Tasting Activity) each of which contains both cognitive and physical activities designed to illustrate and enhance children's exposure, understanding and enjoyment of new foods.

Access food fact sheet posters and learning activity sheets on the Iowa Department of Education Team Nutrition webpage.