Youth Programs

Youth programming from Kindergarten through 6th grade:

• Montana’s low-income youth are reached through nutrition education taught in 3rd and 5th grade classrooms in Title I schools across the state. One hour programs are delivered once a week for six weeks and meet Montana Health Enhancement Standards as established by the Office of Public Instruction.

“Exploring the food pyramid with Professor Popcorn” and “Eat Smart/Play Hard” materials are utilized for school programs.

• Our “Out-of-School” program is taught through partnerships with after-school programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs, the Salvation Army, YMCAs, and Title I After school groups. This youth curriculum teaches food safety and nutrition concepts through active play and snack preparation.

• Nutrition assistants also partner with USDA’s free summer lunch program to help children understand the role of nutrition and physical activity as it relates to their health.

"A single mom with two children called to tell me that she hasn’t run out of groceries before the end of the month now that she is using her meal-planning chart to shop."

"Several children who were in my school program are presently in my summer program as well. I was excited to see that they retained a lot of what they learned and seem to be practicing healthier eating habits."

"I have noticed children reading ingredient labels during snack time. I believe they have increased their awareness of nutrition information (after participating in the Professor Popcorn program)."

"After the Professor Popcorn classes, the children became more aware of reading labels and watching what is in the products they eat."

"The kids are more aware of the serving size and the sugar and salt content after the in-school youth program."

"The students learned 'healthy' snack choices and I've seen a lot less pop (even with the teacher)!

"Following the in-school programs, parents reported students were measuring and counting serving sizes at home!"

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Douglas L. Steele, Vice Provost and Director, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.