Beyond Standardized Tests: Why Food Education Should Be Prioritized In Schools

On this episode of FoodED, Lana Elgart sat down with Ryanne Plaisance, the Head of School at Argo Novice School, and Carrie Hartman, the Director of Culinary Programs. The trio discussed food education in schools and how it can be integrated into the core curriculum to help children live healthier lifestyles.

The guests share how their school program incorporates food education, including traveling to different parts of the world virtually and incorporating authentic food from local restaurants. They discuss the importance of educating teachers on health and nutrition topics and becoming partners in health to prioritize wellness in schools.

The podcast also covers the challenges in implementing such programs and how to creatively integrate food education into other core classes. Finally, the host encourages listeners to think about how they can support food education in their own communities.

Timestamps:

[00:02:46] A little about our guests and how their school emphasizes food education and uses it as a vehicle for change.

[00:06:15] Cooking teaches math and science to preschoolers and encourages them to try new foods. The program connects with global citizenship, virtual travel, community, and authentic flavors. Carrie plans meals and hosts tasting sessions to get kids' feedback and buy-in.

[00:07:57] Tastings help children expand their vocabulary and openness to try new foods. Teachers encourage feedback and the phrase "I'm not into it today, but I'll try it again some other time" is often recited.

[00:12:30] Is there enough time for educating kids on nutrition? Time is always a factor, but nutrition can be weaved into other classes like science and math. Schools should get creative and integrate nutrition objectives with core classes.