Co-ops to Kids: Teachers, General
Food, Farm and Fitness classes – sponsored by the Brattleboro Food Co-op with help from University of Vermont (UVM) Extension Services and Northeast Organic Farming Association–Vermont (NOFA–VT). Students learn about healthy, natural, and locally grown foods. Taught by professional instructors. Meets VT educational standards. Free snack is provided. Contact: Kate Bailey, Brattleboro Food Co-op, phone: (802) 254-3267
Healthy Snack Initiative – Also from the Brattleboro Co-op: discount program for school food programs and teachers to offer healthy snacks to their students. Contact: Kate Bailey, Brattleboro Food Co-op, phone: (802) 254-3267
Better Eating for Life – Students in grades 4 through 12 learn about food and nutrition, how to read labels, as well as how to decipher confusing nutrition information. Classes taught by Hanover and Lebanon Co-op Food Stores’ registered dietitian. Limited to schools within a one-hour drive from the food stores. Free snack is provided. Contact: Mary Saucier Choate, Co-op Food Stores, phone: (603) 643-6342
Reinventing the Meal – A Vermont-based non-profit, provides services on both sides of the river. The organization works creatively with schools and school lunch providers to enhance local food choices and to improve nutrition education and food service programs that provide food options that are low in fat, calories, and added sugars. We help establish graphic displays and signage within the school to encourage improved dietary habits among students, faculty, and families. Contact: 802 674-2900 ×25 or send an email
USDA Team Nutrition Online Resources
On-line classroom curriculum and activities promote peak performance by teaching students to eat well.
USDA My Pyramid Food Guidance System
The interactive and personalized My Pyramid incorporates recommendations from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which was released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in January (2005). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide authoritative advice for people two years of age and older about how proper dietary habits can promote health and reduce the risk of major chronic diseases. Professional teaching resources are downloadable from the site.
Dole – 5 A Day Classroom Resources
Dole’s Nutrition Education Program offers education materials free-of-charge to U.S. elementary schools. The materials encourage children and their families to eat 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day to promote better health. Lesson plans with cross-curricular activities in math, social studies, science, music, and language arts that help get kids excited about eating fruits and vegetables; games, music, awards, and more are available.
Nutrition for Kids
Founded by Connie Evers, MS, RD, to promote the nutritional health of children and adolescents. Online newsletter, free “Just for Kids” downloads. Also you can order her excellent books: How to Teach Nutrition to Kids and the companion Leader/Activity Guide.
Changing of the Guard: Meet Bob Hayes and Bruce Follett
After a long and distinguished career in the grocery business hallmarked by many years at the Co-op, Bob Hayes (right) retired near the end of 2008. Bob was the store manager of the Lebanon Co-op, which means every day he carried a huge amount of responsibility across his shoulders. In his work as Lebanon food store manager, Bob was known for being smart, matter-of-fact, and fair, and for displaying a bulldog demeanor that belied a gentle and soft-spoken temperament. His replacement, Bruce Follett (left), is another hard-working guy who has been at the Co-op for a long time too—carrying with him a set of highly efficient skills and a way with people that makes him a natural for the job. Bruce has spent the last several months learning the ropes from Bob, and the Co-op will spend the next several years realizing how lucky we have been to have them both here. Thank you, Bob, and congratulations, Bruce. No doubt the big job of Lebanon store manager is passing from one set of very capable hands to another.
Want to Know What's On Sale?
The Co-op is a food store, after all, and what kind of food store would we be without specials? New store-wide specials are listed weekly, and new CAP specials are listed monthly. Ever wondered what CAP is? It stands for the Cooperative Advantage Program. What’s that? One day, a smart bunch of people decided that if cooperatives all got together, they could have strength in numbers and compete with their big-box competition, and that simple idea started a cooperative buying-power revolution.
