why? nutrition education: tips & tricks for engaging staff

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Copyright © 2010 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org

Nutrition Education:

Tips & Tricks for Engaging Staff

Barbara J. Pyper, MS, RD, FHCFA, FCSI, SNS


Why?


SNA’s Keys to Excellence

(Nutrition)

School food and nutrition personnel are actively involved in nutrition education at the school level.

• BEST PRACTICE C2.1 School food and nutrition personnel provide opportunities to reinforce classroom nutrition education.



(Nutrition)• INDICATORS

– The school food and nutrition program recommends and

promotes current, science-based nutrition and nutrition education materials.

– Nutrition education materials such as posters, table tents, and

bulletin boards are used in the cafeteria and on campus.

– Meals and other foods and beverages served in the school cafeteria reinforce the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and

other accurate nutrition messages.

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(Nutrition)• INDICATORS

• The school food and nutrition program serves as a resource for

nutrition activities through kitchen tours, food demonstrations, tasting parties, and/or participating in classroom nutrition

education activities.

– Messages about the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the

MyPyramid are communicated to parents through various avenues such as presentations at parent meetings, on the

school Web site and/or cable TV, and communications printed

on take home menus or other school media (newsletters, etc).



(Nutrition)

• INDICATORS

– School food service employees participate in wellness activities.


Certification

• Level 1 – 10 hours nutrition




Why?

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The Importance of Nutrition

• "We think food...

because they can't

think without it.”

• “We fuel the future.”

• “Eat healthy, grow

strong.”



Where to Start?

Stress the Importance of education

• Increase your knowledge and skills of nutrition to create a healthy school environment.

• Enhance your professional image with parents, children & school administrators.

• Stay current on issues concerning school nutrition initiatives.


Where to Start?

Stress the Importance of education

• Demonstrate commitment to your profession.

• Provide a career ladder you can use to advance in the field from assistant, to cook, to manager, to director.

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What Works?• Nutrition Services staff survey

– Seattle, WA area

– 4 major school districts



Survey Results



Survey Results



Survey Results

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Survey Results



Survey Results



Survey Results



Survey Results

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Survey Results



Survey Results



Survey Results• To make class better

– I think keeping all involved by participation discussion and just

getting everyone intrested in the class, not because they have to

be there due to getting or even keeping their certification but because the instructor has made it interesting and fun.

– I like interaction and group activities I think it helps with physical

movement, and encourages collaberation.

– Hands on activities really help reinforce the materials used in the course. Keep group discussions on task. Stay peppy and

know the matterials without reading the the screen.

– Have time for a Q/A session




– be sure not to rush, take more time.

– More demos and food fairs, where we judge and test food

products instead of being judged ourselves...Split up into groups

and make a 5 course meal, each group in charge of one of the 5 group dish..have judges..like iron chef....CHALLENGE US...we

will learn..

– Use humor!

– Include specific examples of how districts in WA are meeting the

nutritional needs of their students, especially when it comes to

lowering fat, sugar & sodium.

– Bring snacks and drinks

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Survey Results

• To make class better– More practical applications

– Teach people how to shop, prepare and cook for their families

at home while working within tight budgets. I think it is easy to

cook or order less nutrtious meals, because the cost of healthier choices is more expensive. Learning ways to get past that

would benefit us all.

– It's difficult to keep us all on topic, but I think the more inter-active the class is, the more we learn.

– Don’t read everything

– Frequent breaks – we need to move




– Need to explain in technical details. Words that are not common to someone who is not a nutritionist.

– Keep it simple and precise, so it isn't boring.

– provide healthy snacks to keep the energy level up

– Shorten the classes


Where Do We Go From Here?

• Assess where you are

– What classes have been held?

– Who participated?

– Who needs/wants more nutrition education?

– Where are the “gaps?”

– What are the hot topics?

– New products? New menu items?

– Identified challenges?


More Assessment

• What helps your staff

pay attention?

– Outside speakers?

– Activities?

– Games?

– Demonstrations?

– Snacks?

– Contests?

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Identify Resources

• What resources are in your community?

– Culinary schools

• Instructors

• Students

– College-level nutrition programs

• Dietetic internships

• Undergraduate nutrition programs

– Farmers markets


Identify Resources

• What resources are in your community?

– Extension programs

– Professional associations

– Great grocery stores

– Distributors

– Vendors

– Brokers


What About Topics?


Start Here!

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And Here!


And Here!


The Food Guide Pyramid

• Online interactive activities

• Great handouts


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Healthier US

Schools


Copyright © 2009 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org Copyright © 2009 School Nutrition Association. All Rights Reserved. www.schoolnutrition.org

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Make A Plan

• Topic list

– Consider a “vote”

• SurveyMonkey

• Paper ballot

• Other

• Find your experts

– Look for resources


Tap In To…


Set a Date!

• Consider

– Energy levels

– Holidays

– Menus

– Other possible distractions

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Set the Place

• Logistics

– Seating

– Audio visual support

– Parking

– Snacks

• A must have…for so many reasons

– Breaks


Engage the Students

• Involvement!

– Pre-class “homework”

• Restaurant menus with nutrition info

• Website review of restaurant nutrition info

• Newspaper articles

• Magazine articles

• Bring recipes that ARE healthy

• Bring recipes that need a make-over


Engage the Students

• Involvement!

– Bring personal items

• Vitamins & other supplements

• Food labels

• Books

– Show & tell

• Grains

• New foods


Ready…Set….Go!

• Start on time

• End on time

• Stick around

– Be “present”

• Evaluate

• Plan for the next session

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Thank

You!

why? nutrition education: tips & tricks for engaging staff

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