Monday, October 18, 2021
Media Contact:
Trisha Gedon | Communications Specialist | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
College students at Zion Public College in Stilwell, Oklahoma, not too long ago put aside their conventional
studying, writing and arithmetic research for classes on wholesome consuming, produce and
budgeting.
Greater than 100 college students in first via third grades had a chance to buy at
the Cellular Farmers Market arrange within the college’s gymnasium, due to the Excessive Weight problems
Prevention Program via Oklahoma State University Extension.
Jessie Collins, HOP Program educator, mentioned the purpose of the Cellular Market was to assist youngsters study
in regards to the number of vegatables and fruits out there, in addition to price range $15
in “veggie bucks” they needed to spend. College students took residence 654.2 kilos in contemporary fruits
and greens, which have been paid for via a grant from the Farm to School program and the HOP Program. All the produce got here from the Muskogee Farmers Market
and the Arnold Fruit Co. After making their picks, the scholars had a chance
to style contemporary peaches.
“By making a farmers market, we’re exposing youngsters to a variety of completely different fruits
and greens, and hopefully they’ll strive one thing new,” she mentioned. “Additionally they had
to price range their veggie bucks and resolve what they needed to purchase. One factor I did discover
was among the college students would purchase issues they didn’t like however knew others of their
household did.”
This was Collins’ second go to to Zion Public College. The primary time the scholars
went residence with pre-packaged luggage of produce. Nonetheless, she needed the youngsters to get
a extra hands-on expertise and set it up like a farmers market to permit them to make
their very own decisions.
“Children are more likely to strive one thing new in the event that they get to choose it out and likewise
if they assist put together it at residence,” she mentioned.
First-grader Aalyah Proctor selected cucumbers, onions, radishes, inexperienced beans, apples,
zucchini and squash to take residence to her household, together with a pint-size pumpkin for
vacation ornament.
“I like the best way my grandma cooks zucchini in a skillet, however cucumbers and apples are
my favorites,” Proctor mentioned.
Third-grader Blane Sidebottom purchased pears, squash, cucumbers and apples. He likes
vegatables and fruits and was trying ahead to attempting the pears.
“I like to assist prepare dinner at residence and I do know greens are good for my physique as a result of they’re
wholesome,” Sidebottom mentioned. “I would make soup out of the stuff I purchased.”
Sharon VanDevender, a vitamin schooling assistant in Adair County’s OSU Extension office, works with the school-age youngsters and teaches classes about good vitamin and
make sensible selections about meals decisions. On the Cellular Farmers Market, she was
busy weighing everybody’s purchases.
“I actually like working with the children, and the lecturers listed below are nice,” VanDevender
mentioned. “I like to offer the children easy recipes with just some substances can that
be contemporary or canned.”
Lainey Porter, president of the Wholesome Oklahoma Vitamin Alliance, mentioned HONA typically
companions with OSU Extension and at all times is glad to search out methods such because the Cellular Farmers
Market to reveal youngsters to wholesome, nutritious meals.
“Making youngsters conscious of varied wholesome meals, particularly these which are domestically
sourced, is one in all HONA’s targets,” Porter mentioned. “By this group, I attempt to
emphasize how a lot worth there may be in procuring at a farmers market.”
There are a number of applications that permit Supplemental Vitamin Assistant Program (SNAP)
recipients to double their shopping for energy for contemporary vegatables and fruits. The Double Up Food Bucks program will match SNAP profit {dollars} so recipients should purchase twice as many fruits
and greens.
Collins mentioned the HOP Program started in 2018 and is offered in Adair and Muskogee
counties.
“The weight problems fee right here is over 40%. By HOP, we’re attempting to minimize the excessive weight problems
fee so individuals can stay more healthy lives by making more healthy meals decisions,” she mentioned.
For extra details about the HOP Program, contact Collins by cellphone at 918-214-6125
or by way of e-mail at jessie.garcia@okstate.edu.
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