Kate Wutz, Director of Communications (208) 720-0681 kwutz@communityschool.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2013 SUN VALLEY, IDAHO — Community School, Nurture Idaho and the Blaine County Education Foundation have received a grant for $35,000 from the Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation to continue programs designed to make children excited about eating well. Nurture launched a pilot program called “Food and Fun” at Community School in 2011, a program that teaches children to make healthy food choices. Nurture instructors use positive messages to empower students to eat well. “It’s more than simply forcing students to eat their vegetables,” said Community School Elementary School Head Janet Salvoni. “It’s introducing them to new foods and explaining to them why an apple is a better choice for a snack than a cookie, and showing them how food can make a difference in how they feel.” Students in kindergarten through fifth grade learn about eating from the rainbow, what foods will give them fuel throughout their busy days, how to use portion sizes, why choosing water over sugary beverages is a better choice and how important breakfast is for health. Most importantly, Nurture instructors share these lessons in fun and engaging ways. Student and teacher evaluations of the program show that students not only listen to the lessons, but they actually apply them in their daily lives. Teachers reported that after completing the Food and Fun program, students were more likely to pick fruit and vegetables for snacks and lunches and to make other healthy choices. This will be the third year for Nurture’s Food and Fun program at Community School. The program expanded to include the Blaine County School District in 2012. "My favorite thing was letting kids know that healthy foods can be fun and tasty," said Brad Stansberry, Hemingway Elementary fifth grade teacher and Blaine County Education Foundation board member. "The Food and Fun program begins a dialogue about nutrition with kids that otherwise may not occur." Food and Fun will serve more than 780 children and their families this coming year, for a total of 2,880 residents affected by this program. Food and Fun will be offered at all elementary schools in the Blaine County School District for the 2013-2014 school year. This year, Nurture, Blaine County Education Foundation and Community School will split a generous $35,000 grant from the Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation. Much of the grant will go to Nurture to cover the cost of instructors and curriculum. Community School will receive $7,500, part of which will be used to upgrade the campus garden. “This grant is a great example of the collaboration that exists in the Wood River Valley,” said Nurture Communications and Development Director Kathleen McCabe. “This grant represents what is possible when organizations work together to impact the community. We are proud to be partnering with the Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation and look forward to making a difference in our community with their leadership and guidance.” The grant will be presented to the three organizations during the Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation annual meeting Tuesday, August 6, from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at The Valley Club in Hailey. The foundation will award grants to 11 projects, encompassing 13 nonprofit organizations in Blaine County.