Lesson 8 Grocery Shopping and Cooking Together Recommended Book A Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell Book Summary: This book shows how much fun it is to spend time together as a family. The story describes members of the family picking out foods together at the grocery store and bringing food home to cook into a healthy family meal that they all share. Lesson Objectives Children will: 1. Discuss some ways to help select foods at the grocery store and assist with meal preparation. 2. Suggest fruits and vegetables to add to their grocery list. 3. Practice food preparation skills by creating a healthy snack. Food Demo Summary Students will work together to prepare their own fun, colorful and healthy snack. They will have the opportunity to practice various food preparation skills. See reverse for materials, prep-work, and Fruit Kebob directions. Lesson Format 1. Ask children to think about what is involved in making a family meal. What has to be done before we can eat? Highlight the following steps: a. Identify food items needed for the meal. Search for ingredients at home and determine what needs to be bought from the grocery store. b. Prepare meal. This includes preparing, cooking, and clean up. 2. Read book aloud to children. Stop during the story when appropriate or wait until reading is finished to ask the following questions: a. What are some ways you can help at the grocery store? b. What types of fruits and vegetables would you add to a shopping list? c. What are some ideas about how you can help with food preparation or clean up? Examples may include setting and clearing the table, selecting foods, mixing, pouring, washing fruits and vegetables, etc. 3. Make a Fruit Kebob following the directions on the back of this page. 4. Focus on how each person has a role in preparing the fruit for the snack. 5. As children finish the food demonstration, review that it is important to help select and prepare healthy foods for ourselves and our families. 6. Direct students to write a short letter home, identifying the following: a. At least 3 fruits or vegetables they would like to add to the family grocery list and explain why. b. At least 3 ways they can help in the grocery store or in the kitchen during mealtime. *Note: For younger children, see appendix for My Grocery List Letter. Assist children in filling in the blanks. 53
Lesson 8 Grocery Shopping and Cooking Together Materials Recommended Book Estimated Time: Fruit Kebob supplies: * Completing pre-work: 45 minutes Fruit ingredients * Completing lesson: 60 minutes * Completing reinforcement activity: 45 minutes Double-pointed wooden kebob sticks Small plates Napkins Colander Large bowl Can opener Plastic knives 4 Cutting boards Supplies for an optional reinforcement activity selected from the Activities Appendix Prep-Work This food demonstration works best by getting children involved in the preparation. Wash strawberries and grapes. Set up stations for each type of fruit: Station #1 will have a colander over a large bowl and a can opener. At this station, children will open the pineapple can and drain the juice. Younger children will need assistance. Station #2, #3 and #4 will each have a cutting board and plastic knives. At these stations, children will cut the green stems off the strawberries, tear grapes off the stem, and peel bananas and cut into slices. Station #5 will contain one cutting board. Children will peel oranges and separate into sections. *Note: Grapes can be a choking hazard for children aged 4 and younger. Consider cutting grapes in half for this group. Ingredients 1 15 oz. can of pineapple chunks (in natural juices) 2 pints of strawberries 1 bunch of seedless grapes 3 oranges or tangerines 2 bananas Fruit Kebob Makes 20 sample-size portions. Directions 1. Explain the task for each station. 2. Put children into groups and assign each group to a station. 3. Have students complete assigned task, guide as necessary. 4. Give each student a plate and kebob stick. 5. Direct children to form a line and move through the stations, adding a piece of fruit at each. 54
READ FOR HEALTH Cooking Together as a Family We read A Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell. This book shows how much fun it is to spend time as a family. The characters pick out foods together at the grocery store and bring them home to cook into a healthy family meal. We then practiced preparing a healthy snack! Cook with Your Child! It is important to have them help with food preparation. Children are more willing to try new foods they help to prepare. Children feel good about doing something grown up. Your children will enjoy spending quality time with you. Children will develop creativity and self-confidence in the kitchen. Children think helping in the kitchen is fun! Children learn important skills cooking, following directions, and more! This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. Get them Involved: Your children can do a lot to help in the kitchen. Children can: Read the recipe aloud. Wash fruits and veggies. Tear lettuce for salads and sandwiches. Snap green beans or asparagus. Measure and add ingredients. Mix and stir ingredients. Set the table. Pour milk and water to drink with the meal. Take Action! Cook together. Eat together. Talk together. Make mealtime a family time. How many of the following ideas can you check off this week? Make a meal or snack with your child. Choose a family-favorite dish or visit the following website for a new, low-cost, easy, and healthy recipe: www.go.umd.edu/eatsmart-recipes Pack your child s lunch together. Replace sugary treats with healthy foods. Include a handwritten note to your child in their lunchbox. If your child buys lunch, review the menu and encourage your children to select healthy items. Choose one other tip from this newsletter, and write it here once completed: 55
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READ FOR HEALTH Shopping Together as a Family We read A Feast for 10 by Cathryn Falwell. This book shows how much fun it is to spend time together as a family. The characters pick out foods together at the grocery store and bring them home to cook into a healthy family meal. We then practiced preparing a healthy snack! Grocery Shopping Tips: Save Money-Plan Ahead! Keep a grocery list throughout the week. As items run out, place them on the list. Be sure to plan for fruits and veggies at meals and snacks. Create meals around foods you already have. Take advantage of store specials and coupons. Look for store brands. They are often cheaper than name brands. Shop when you are not hungry. You ll be more likely to stick to your grocery list. Include fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables. All varieties can be used in meals and snacks. Read food labels. Make sure you are getting the best nutrition value for your dollar. Get Everyone Involved! Your children can help with your grocery shopping: Clip coupons. Help write a grocery list. Suggest foods to put on the grocery list. Choose recipes or favorite dishes for the week. At the grocery store, give each of your children a job. This will help them stay focused and behave well: Let your kids be produce pickers. Have them help choose fruits and veggies at the store. Have them read the items on the list as you shop. Have them sort items in the cart by food group or color. Allow them to be nutrition detectives. Have them investigate food sections for new and healthy foods. Take Action! Cook together. Eat together. Talk together. Make mealtime a family time. How many of the following ideas can you check off this week? Plan ahead to take your child to the grocery store. Include at least one fruit or vegetable in each meal you prepare this week. Choose two other tips from this newsletter and write them below: This institution is an equal opportunity provider. This material was funded by USDA s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP in cooperation with Maryland s Department of Human Services and University of Maryland Extension. The University of Maryland Extension will not discriminate against any person because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. 57
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