HealthBarn USA“

HealthBarn USA “Empowering children and families to live strong,

energetic lives”

By Anthony Escobar

About HealthBarn USA•Located at Abma’s Farm & Market in Wyckoff, NJ•Founded in April 2005•Educational center that teaches health awareness to children, adolescents and even adults•Age range (3-15) and their families•Offers wok shops with hands on education •based on trying new foods•Physical activity•Kids cultivate seasonal foods on farmSpinach, parsnips, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries •Kids learn how to compost•Plant seeds watch them grow!

Program coordinators

Stacy Antine MS, RD, founder and CEO over 20 years of experience as a nutrition counselor,

speaker, writer and media spokesperson. 18 years exp. Public relations

Tami Mackle, MS, RD, program director Adjunct faculty member teaches nutrition education in

Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. Jill Petite, MS, certified NY state teacher. general manager

handles scheduling and daily activities. Rachel Meltzer, MS manager of nutrition and health

promotion

Programs Spring, Fall & Winter Programs can chose from a 6 or 12 week

course

“Young Harvesters” ages 8-15

“Sprouts” ages 5-7 sessions last 1.5 hours

“Seedlings” ages 3-5 (10 week program) one hour once per week. Two part program. Exploring the senses sight, taste, touch and learning about them to make healthy choices.

1) learning the basics of nutrition 2) putting the knowledge into action

Programs Continued Learn how to make healthy food choices and better

understand what they eat! Try new foods How to cook with natural foods and create recipes. Become aware of processed foods Taught how to grow and harvest fruits and

vegetables Exercise through gardening, planting and harvesting Self esteem development, develop confidence and

leadership skills through accomplishments during group activities

Create menus. post them on the wall in front of the kitchen.

HealthBarn USA Reaches Out!

Offer school and community programs Northern NJ New York, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania Host workshops in schools at school assembliesTeach them about the food guide pyramidsPhysical activity led exercises. Food taste expo – try something new from every food groupTake home recipes and education materialsSponsored by “whole Foods”

March 25 Activities With the Kids

Garden: Checked spinach plants Cleaned up compost soil from rocks Added to garden Created a bedding with the soil Planted parsnips Cleaned up and helped to take back garden tools.

Scrapbook: Reviewed Café le Barn assignment Who will staff it: children volunteer as chefs, juice bartender, waitress,

or host Created menu ideas Prepare for the opening of the restaurant (ate shabu-shabu) Japanese

for “swish swish” Parents are to attend the dinner

April 1st Activities With the Kids

April 1st

Preparation: Completed menu items for Café le Barn Prepared foods Set up table Parents came to dine at the restaurant I helped out and introduced myself . Everyone enjoyed the foods Children had fun

Parents Benefit Too! learn how to shop wisely Cooking demonstrations How to prepare food so that it is nutritious Learn quick and easy ways to do it Learn how to talk with their children about food and

nutrition

---Testimonials---"The assembly showed me that these foods help your body in

many ways.  It got me more interested in eating more veggies, instead of my mom begging me to -- thank you," student, Hazlet, NJ.

"I want to thank you and congratulate you on the hugely successful assembly you provided at Lenape Meadows School.  You delivered an age-appropriate wealth of healthy-eating information to our kindergarten through third grade students.  The children certainly have a whole new approach to understanding the food pyramid, and are excited to start making healthier food choices.   It was wonderful to work the food-tasting tables and witness the children trying new foods that they probably would never try."

Summary of a Position PaperRelating to Nutrition Education and Children

The roles of registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered in health promotion and disease prevention

JADA (2006), 106: 1875-1884 http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/Preventionnp.pdf

Emphasized that Dietitians must use prevention education at the school level also in community programs to stop the high incidences of childhood obesity

Emphasized awareness and school based interventions to counter childhood obesity

Design nutrition education modules and curricula for teachers, parents and other health professionals.

Promote physical activity in schools Dietitians must work with policy makers & govt. agencies US Dept. of Health and Human Services protect the health of

Americans and provide essential human services.