Polson Middle School launches after-school cooking club
Club is in collaboration with Families First and MSU SNAP Education Program
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Polson Middle School students meet once a week to learn culinary skills and promote healthy eating habits.
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News from Brittany Simonich, Family Education Coordinator in Lake County
POLSON — Polson Middle School has partnered with Families First and the Montana State University (MSU) SNAP Education Program to launch a new after-school cooking club called “Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness.” The initiative aims to give students unique opportunities to learn culinary skills and promote healthy eating habits. The program is supported by grant funds from the Mission Valley Youth Foundation.
The after-school cooking club will meet once a week for six weeks in the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) kitchen. This well-equipped kitchen ensures that students have access to a professional cooking environment, enhancing their learning experience. The program’s family-centered approach is emphasized by Brittany Simonich, Families First Education Coordinator. She believes involving families in this journey is crucial for impacting the community’s approach to nutrition and wellness.
The program aims to empower the students and the entire family unit.
Havilah Burton, SNAP-Ed Educator, highlights the significance of practical nutrition education in collaboration with Polson Middle School. She believes that the program’s hands-on approach will bring essential nutrition knowledge to students in an engaging way, contributing to a healthier future for the community.
Students participating in the club will receive a collaborative cookbook featuring recipes created during the program. They will also have a special apron to wear during the cooking sessions, promoting a sense of camaraderie and culinary identity. To encourage physical activity and a holistic approach to health, students will receive a pedometer to track their daily step goals.
Alongside this, “Choose Health: Food, Fun, and Fitness” is a nutrition, cooking, and exercise class where kids can learn to make healthy choices. Each class consists of a lesson about nutritious food and exercise behaviors, active games, and wholesome food preparation and tasting. The cooking club focuses on preparing different foods and discovering why and how to make healthy choices. Each week, students get to play games or participate in fun activities, creating an engaging and dynamic learning environment. The SNAP-Ed nutrition education cooking club helps kids make healthy food and activity choices while they learn to cook and engage in different activities. This multifaceted approach ensures that students gain culinary skills and a comprehensive understanding of the importance of nutrition and physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Polson Middle School, Families First, the MSU SNAP Education Program, and the Mission Valley Youth Foundation stand united in their commitment to providing a holistic and enriching educational experience for the students of Polson. The after-school cooking club represents a culinary adventure and a community-building initiative emphasizing the importance of healthy living.
