OTTAWA, ON – Everyone knows how much kids love to get their hands dirty. Tapping into this innate draw and into the broad spectrum that childhood curiosity covers is the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. The Association is welcoming its new program, "Chef for a Day,” which was created in conjunction with their Freggie™ Children’s Program and encourages students to develop healthy eating habits.
"Chef for a Day" teaches children food skills, such as how to make easy, healthy lunches from start to finish. And we all know the best part of cooking is the meal you get to enjoy after all is said and done, so students taking part in the program will get to eat their creations while learning healthy food skills to fuel their continually growing bodies.
“We know that the development of proper food skills is an essential foundation for healthy eating, and that the best way to learn is with a hands-on experience,” says Ron Lemaire, CPMA President, in a recent press release. “We’re hoping this event can provide awareness at the community level as to the benefits of teaching children to cook and sending them to school with more nutritious lunches.”
Teachers wanting to integrate this new program into their lesson plans are given a blueprint with step-by-step instructions for the event and encouraged to enlist the help of local chefs, dietitians, or keen parents as students gain insight. Running themes throughout the program’s event are health, food safety, and great taste. After Nova Scotia’s 2015 pilot, the program has been curated to address the nation’s children with minimal funds.
“It can be extremely challenging for teachers to execute one-off educational programs with limited funding and resources. With the easy to follow blueprints and gift cards to purchase ingredients, CPMA has developed a winning combination to get more kids engaged in healthy eating while respecting busy schedules,” added Kim Hickman, Community Dietitian, Health Promotion Unit, Government of Yukon. “This program is a wonderful way to get kids engaged and excited to make healthy meals.”
Media is allowing everyone in on the party, with outlets attending local events.
When children’s messy hands stem from them learning healthier eating habits, everyone wins! Welcome to the party, kiddos!
