Learning about Fresh Produce
Published: Jan. 26, 2009
URBANA - Teaching healthy eating is made more fun by a new University of Illinois Extension website. "Food Fun from Apples to Zucchini" (http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/foodfun/) was developed by U of I Extension educators Greg Stack and Jane Scherer.
With information about 45 different produce items, the website utilizes a number of online activities, including coloring sheets, to make learning fun.
"This website has been designed for use by elementary grades, but can be adapted and modified by adding activities and study skills appropriate for that grade level," Stack explained.
"This program is designed to introduce students to produce they may not be familiar with by talking a little bit about fun facts and special features. The website will also help to enhance students' math, reading, writing, and creative arts skills."
Stack explained that the website dovetails with other learning methods used for elementary school students.
"Throughout the website, letters of the alphabet have been used to introduce various produce," he said. "The characters used in the website may not portray what the item actually looks like so we have taken the produce items "out of costume" and put them in the Food Gallery."
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