4-H Food Smart Families serves Cd'A community

More than 100 years ago Idaho 4-H started revolutionizing how science was taught outside the classroom. In its advancement, nearly 100 topic areas have been developed for youth to study. Topics revolve around three areas: Healthy Living, Science and Citizenship. Each area uses research-based curriculum from The University of Idaho's Extension system. County-based Extension faculty and staff partner with community volunteers to deliver 4-H topics to nearly 70,000 youth each year.

Healthy living is a 4-H National mission mandate focused on engaging youth and families to be physically, socially and emotionally healthy. Idaho has been selected as one of seven states nationwide to take part in a community Healthy Living Initiative called 4-H Food Smart Families. To implement the Initiative, 4-H has partnered with University of Idaho's Eat Smart Idaho program. Locally, Shelly Johnson, University of Idaho Extension Professor, directs this partnership.

Funding for 4-H Food Smart Families and Eat Smart Idaho is provided by the National 4-H Council, the ConAgra Foods Foundation, the Albertson's Corporation, the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food and Nutrition Services, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and the University of Idaho.

4-H Food Smart Families has a special interest in reaching limited income families and communities. To do so, two UI interns alongside Eat Smart Idaho Nutrition Advisors are teaching 10 healthy living lessons covering a variety of topics. Topic areas to be covered include: Proper food handling hygiene, grocery budgeting, the USDA's MyPlate recommendations and the importance of being physically active. Teen advocates are also enlisted to co-teach classes with interns and Nutrition Advisors.

Coeur d'Alene resident, Christy Johnson, is one of the two interns working in the Coeur d'Alene area. Johnson, a nutrition student who transferred from North Idaho College to the University of Idaho, enjoys "teaching and getting children excited about eating healthy foods." Johnson plans to apply for the dietetics program at the University of Idaho this coming January and is working toward practicing holistic dietetics with children and families. Johnson said "I am thankful for the opportunity to experience hands-on nutrition education in the Coeur d'Alene community because I enjoy teaching healthier options for foods than what people are accustomed to eating."

4-H Food Smart Families and Eat Smart Idaho have been teaching lessons at programs such as CDA 4 Kids, Post Falls Boys and Girls Club, Summer Feeding Sites in the Coeur d'Alene School District and the Children's Village. On July 11, 4-H Food Smart Families and Eat Smart Idaho hosted a booth at the 8th annual Coeur d'Alene Parks Day Celebration for community members to learn about savvy shopping skills and food nutrition. Children and families were invited to play "The Price Tastes Right" and test their knowledge about nutrition labels, cost-effective foods and budgeting.

4-H Food Smart Families and Eat Smart Idaho will be teaching lessons throughout the school-year. For more information about upcoming sites visit with Shelly Johnson, University of Idaho Extension, at (208) 446-1688.

Eat Smart Idaho can be found online at www.eatsmartidaho.org. 4-H Food Smart Families can be found on Facebook and Twitter at facebook.com/UI4HYD or @UI_4HFSF