For Schools
Nutrition Connections works with schools, youth and the greater school environment to create healthy and sustainable changes through direct-education, PSE intervention (policy, systems, environment), technical assistance and wellness collaboration.
We offer a series of evidence-based lessons tailored to each age group that teaches the importance of healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity. We can pair lessons with taste tests from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
Programs and Curriculums We Recommend
WELL Bundle
This program is designed to be used in Early Childcare centers (with Head Start in mind) and works to help educators get children interested in learning about the importance of nutritious foods and being physically active.
- Audience: pre-school children
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In Head Start classroom
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Kate Graves
CATCH
Features fun, interactive lessons that differ by grade level. Lessons include movement activities, nutrition related games, snack preparation and goal setting. This curriculum is tailored towards out of school settings.
- Audience: grades K-5
- Cost: Free
- Setting: After school/Summer
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Harvest of the Month (HOM)
A curriculum from NH Farm to School that features monthly lesson plans and activities. The goal in this curriculum is to promote locally grown produce while increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children. Lesson topics: locally grown produce, trying new fruits and vegetables, physical activity.
- Audience: grades 4-5
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In school
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Pick a Better SnackTM (PABS)
The goal of the Pick a Better SnackTM curriculum is to introduce students to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, teaching them about the importance of consumption for overall health. Lesson topics: locally grown produce, trying new fruits and vegetables, physical activity.
- Audience: grades K-3
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In school
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Show Me Nutrition
This curriculum features carefully tailored lessons organized by grade. Depending on the grade, students will learn about age-appropriate nutrition and wellness topics such as basic food safety and hygiene, reading food labels, the five food groups and how media influences food choices.
- Audience: grades K-5
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In school
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
CATCH
Features fun, interactive lessons that differ by grade level. Lessons include movement activities, nutrition related games, snack preparation and goal setting. This curriculum is tailored towards out of school settings.
- Audience: grades 6-8
- Cost: Free
- Setting: After school/Summer
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Choose Health: Food, Fun and Fitness
A series of six interactive lessons that use the experiential learning model to teach healthy eating and physical activity. Lessons include hands on nutrition activities, food preparation, active games and goal setting. Lesson topics: sugar sweetened beverages, fruits, vegetables, physical activity, added sugars and fat.
- Audience: grades 6-8
- Cost: Free
- Setting: After school/Summer
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Eatfit
Eatfit is a 9-lesson goal-oriented curriculum created by the University of California, Davis. The goal of this curriculum is to improve the eating and fitness choices of middle school students. Students use interactive tools to assess their current diet and physical activity levels. Lesson topics: dietary and fitness level analysis, energy, understanding food label, breakfast, fast food, screen time physical activity.
- Audience: grades 6-8
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In school
- Provided by: UNH Extension, Nutrition Connections Educators
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Train the Teacher is a program that allows school teachers to learn how to implement one of our curricula on their own time, with support from us. Rather than have a Nutrition Connections teacher come into the classroom and teach, the Train the Teacher program allows school teachers to incorporate nutrition and physical activity into their classroom at a time that is convenient for them. List of available curricula below.
Harvest of the Month (HOM)
A curriculum from NH Farm to School that features monthly lesson plans and activities. The goal in this curriculum is to promote locally grown produce while increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in children. Lesson topics: locally grown produce, trying new fruits and vegetables, physical activity.
- Audience: grades 4-5
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In school
- Provided by: Classroom Teacher
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
Pick a Better SnackTM (PABS)
The goal of the Pick a Better SnackTM curriculum is to introduce students to a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, teaching them about the importance of consumption for overall health. Lesson topics: locally grown produce, trying new fruits and vegetables, physical activity.
- Audience: grades K-3
- Cost: Free
- Setting: In school
- Provided by: Classroom Teacher
- Contact: Laura Alimayu
We offer a variety of programming to help youth thrive in all areas of health. To view the offerings for Social Emotional Mindful Learning visit our Youth Programs web site page.
Host a Families Nutrition and Cooking Class
We offer in person and virtual nutrition and cooking classes for eligible schools, families and adults
Eligible Schools
Eligible schools include Headstart, 21st Century Afterschool, schools receiving Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and schools with 50% or greater students receiving USDA meals. Not sure if your school qualifies, reach out to Laura Alimayu at laura.alimayu@unh.edu
Request a Direct-ed Program
We Have Tools to Support You
Get What You Need
Indicate which grade you would like information on and we will work with you to start the process. Provide your contact information and a staff person will get back to you soon.
Direct Education Program Requests
Details About Our Programs
Nutrition Connections works with youth to develop into healthy adults by teaching them to make healthy choices and be more physically active. Trained staff provide up-to-date information and share it through hands-on learning activities.
In FY2017 we reached more than 5,300 youth throughout the state with our nutrition lessons. We work with schools and other youth groups that have the highest percentage of youth eligible for free and reduced price meals.
Our lessons teach the importance of:
Making smart choices from every food group.
Making physical activity a part of daily life.
Practicing food safety as it relates to food handling.
The lessons also support and encourage eating breakfast. Children have the opportunity to taste new foods.
Here’s what children say about the program:
"I never would have tried this if I hadn’t made it."
"This tastes better than it looks."
"I didn’t think I’d like stuff, but it’s pretty good. Can I take some home for my mom to try?"
"If I just saw this on the table I would never have eaten it."
Nutrition Connections provides nutrition education at no cost to low-income families with children and seniors. We reach people through group or individual meetings. Adults with children and seniors who receive food stamps, WIC, CSFP, TANF, or SSI automatically qualify.
We motivate and empower you and your family to:
- Save money at the grocery store
- Plan and cook quick, tasty and low-cost meals
- Eat healthier
- Prevent foodborne illness
- Understand food labels
- Make physical activity a part of everyday
Here’s what adult participants say about the program:
"I have prepared a snack cabinet and a refrigerator drawer for healthy items."
"The program saved me $25 on one trip to the grocery store because I used the store flyer and didn’t give into impulse buying."
"I didn’t realize homemade food was cheaper than prepared food."
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