A Fun with the Five-Food Groups program was held at several Pennsylvania elementary schools, in districts including United, Hampton Township, Westmont Hilltop, Rockwood Area, West Perry and Greenwood. The programs, presented by Michelle Marker, nutrition educator for Metz & Associates, featured an educational session on the new food guide pyramid that included a Wheel of Nutrition game. Marker helped the students develop a better understanding of the importance of each food group, and explained why a balanced diet could help keep them healthier.
“Ms. Marker did a fantastic job keeping our third grade students engaged during her presentation on the Wheel of Nutrition and The Food Guide Pyramid,” said Keri Miller, a teacher in the United School District. “The students learned many valuable lessons about the food categories on the Food Guide Pyramid, and most importantly, she explained everything in terms that the children could really understand.”
Marker reviewed the five food groups with the elementary students and also brought up many interesting nutritional facts, such as the high amount of sugar in soda. She also spoke about the importance of making wise food choices.
At Carroll Elementary School in the West Perry School District, the Fun with the Five-Food Groups program was held as part of a Wellness Day that featured an array of different activities, such as aerobic exercises and extra PE classes held throughout the day. “The program, which was presented to students in grades 1-5 featured age-appropriate curriculum tailored to each group,” said Steve Ganzer, general manager, Metz & Associates at the West Perry School District. “The downside to sports drinks and other drink items, such as Red Bull, was discussed in detail, as well as the daily requirements of the various food groups.”
“The Wheel of Nutrition, which featured an selection of interesting questions on nutrition, was a hit with students of all ages, who were eager to answer the questions and win a prize,” Ganzer added. It was a great way to encourage feedback, gain interest and make this a very interactive learning session.”
At the Central Fulton School District in Pennsylvania, Marker, Commissioner Nutrition, and the Metz team, hosted a 3-A-Day of Dairy program, which highlighted the importance of dairy to a daily diet. “Our focus on dairy featured a trivia game for prizes, a lucky tray game, and a sampling of delicious, calcium filled strawberry banana smoothies,” said Adam Carlson, Metz & Associates general manager at Central Fulton. “The students all had a great time while they learned some valuable nutrition information, and we also gave them healthy recipes to take home and try with their parents.”
Metz & Associates realizes the importance of a balanced diet in helping students and their families lead healthier lifestyles, and focuses on providing the programs necessary to help students make better nutritional choices. Because research shows that Americans are eating only half the daily-recommended servings of dairy, the 3-A-Day of Dairy program was created as a simple reminder for families to get 3 daily servings of milk, cheese or yogurt for stronger bones healthier bodies.
“Our focus on the Fun with the Five Groups and also the 3-A-Day of Dairy programs is part of Metz overall goal of providing the information necessary for students to make healthier food choices in their daily lives,” Marker said. “We accomplish this with our educational programs and also by providing healthy, balanced food selections in all of the schools we serve.”
Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570.675.8100.
