By Andi Anderson
Helping children eat more fruits and vegetables has always been a challenge for caregivers, but it is also one of the most important steps toward raising healthy kids.
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach is addressing this challenge by offering childcare providers new training in produce safety and gardening.
The program, called Produce Basics, is a two-hour virtual training session approved for credit by Iowa Health and Human Services and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It provides guidance on food safety and garden safety, helping providers create healthier environments for the children they serve.
Scheduled for October 2 from 6 to 8 p.m., the training will cover garden safety practices, identifying risks with fresh produce, and safe methods for cleaning, storing, and preparing fruits and vegetables. The cost is $20 per participant, with registration required by September 25.
Providers must first register on Iowa’s Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (I-PoWeR) and then complete enrollment and payment through ISU Extension and Outreach Registration Services.
ISU educators emphasize the importance of introducing produce early and often. “Community support is important for raising healthy, independent kids,” said Kelsey Salow, health and human sciences educator with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Providers play a critical role — they understand children’s needs and the challenges of offering healthy, food-safe options.”
Statistics highlight the urgency of this work. Only 14% of Iowa youth eat vegetables more than three times a day, and just 20% eat fruit more than three times a day. Research also shows that fewer than 10% of youth meet recommended fruit and vegetable intake levels.
“Eating fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins and minerals for brain and cognitive development, supports healthy growth, strengthens the immune system, and reduces long-term risks of chronic disease,” said Lyndi Buckingham-Schutt, state extension specialist in food and health.
By combining food safety training with hands-on gardening strategies, ISU’s new program offers childcare providers practical ways to model healthy habits and promote lifelong nutrition among children in their care.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ridvan-celik
Categories: Indiana, Rural Lifestyle