In the News
Hey, What Are You Eating?
How do teenagers spend their time during the summer break from school in this small, rural town? Some teens enjoy taking time to visit the S.M.A.R.T. Center, a nonprofit organization that offers a variety of programs to both youth and adults. S.M.A.R.T. stands for Serving and Mobilizing Assistance, Resources, and Training. For youth, the center offers a summer lunch program, after-school tutoring, recreation and friendship.
In August 2013, Selma middle and high school students had something new to experience on Friday afternoons. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) from the Fresno County office of the University of California Cooperative Extension offered “EatFit” workshops. The teens learned about setting goals for healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Topics include Energy and Calorie Balance, Food Label Fax, Fast Food, and the ever popular “Hey, What Are You Eating?”
The teens enjoyed the weekly classes taught by Araceli Delgadillo, EFNEP Youth Nutrition Educator. Araceli had the group of teens sign an “eating goal contract” from the EatFit Student Workbook. She also asked the teens to talk to with their parents about what they learned from the class activities and to ask their parents to also read and sign the contract. She told the group about how small changes can add up to reach their goals over time.
The EatFit workshops and participant Jacqueline (Jackie) Rosario, were featured in two local newspapers, the Selma Enterprise and The Kingsburg Recorder1. A few thoughts shared by Jackie at the end of the EatFit workshops: “I enjoyed attending nutrition class given at the S.M.A.R.T Center. I was able to learn a lot. From this class I was able to see that I was having too much sugar intake and what effects it can have on my body and health. I have adjusted some of that intake and feel much better about it. Thank you Miss Delgadillo, for the time you took to come and teach us.”