Teacher Support Services

Nutrition Education

Linda Prescott, RD, MA - Nutrition Education Coordinator

I oversee the coordination of the nutrition education programs and services offered to local school districts including the highly popular Harvest of the Month and Power Play! programs.

The goals of Harvest of the Month are to promote reading and to increase enjoyment and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Over 175 K-5 grade teachers participate in this program where their students have the opportunity to taste and explore a different fruit or vegetable each month. Along with the featured produce, teachers receive an educator packet that includes a newsletter with ties to curricular areas such as mathematics, science, art, reading and history. In addition, teachers receive a grade appropriate book highlighting the featured produce making a strong connection to literacy.

Power Play! is designed to teach 9-11 year old children the importance of eating fruits and vegetables and being physically active every day. HCOE staff assists 4th and 5th grade teachers in conducting a minimum of five lesson plans with links to the California Content Standards. In addition, classroom cooking experiences allow students to practice cooking skills in preparing simple recipes incorporating fruits and vegetables found in the Kids Get Cookin…cookbook and other resources.