In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jenna Frank from the Golden Bridges School. Get ready to be inspired as we discuss the importance of connecting children to their food and the natural world. Jenna shares her own journey and how it led her to become a Land Stewart at the urban educational farm. We also explore how Golden Bridges School integrates food education into its curriculum, from farming classes to cooking sessions. Discover the impact this approach has on the student's overall wellness and its potential to address issues like childhood obesity and diabetes. 

Join us as we dive deep into the world of food education and uncover ways to create a school environment where every student can thrive. Let's become food-educated together.

Timestamps

[00:01:03] Meet Jenna Frank: From disconnected to farming empowerment.

[00:04:11] Questioning health and wellness education in schools.

[00:09:53] Helping children have a healthy relationship with food.

[00:11:54] Support food education for better health choices.

[00:17:49] Advocating for school gardens and healthy education.

Connect with Jenna Frank

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenna-frank-72283b138

Website: https://www.goldenbridgesschool.org/ 

In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Stuart Grauer and Nick Scacco, two passionate educators who are breaking down the barriers of traditional classroom learning. Stuart Grauer, founder of the Grauer School, joins us to share his journey of creating a small, community-oriented school that emphasizes naturalist education and the importance of healthy eating. Nick Scacco, a science teacher at the School, shares his experiences in teaching science outdoors and connecting students to the wonders of nature. Together, they shed light on the power of small schools, the importance of food education, and the need for collaboration in addressing health and wellness issues. 

Get ready to be inspired by their stories and insights as we explore the intersection of food and education. So grab a snack, settle in, and let's get started with FoodED!

Timestamps

[00:01:20] Outdoor education, the Grauer School, how science is taught. Passion for nature and food.

[00:06:15] School promotes healthy living through various programs.

[00:09:08] Health class promotes sustainable, healthy cooking, and addresses obesity.

[00:13:31] Stuart Grauer was born in NY, taught in Switzerland, and studied in San Diego.

[00:17:06] Small schools have advantages: community focus, more interaction, and flexible teaching. Concerns about food quality and health education. Need to decide how to address these issues. The best solutions include education, outdoor activities, and experiential learning.

[00:21:16] Wonderful creation and love for a small school doing big things.

Connect with Stuart Grauer & Nick Scacco

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartgrauer/ 

Website: https://www.grauerschool.com/ 

Key Moments

00:01:03 Private school started by a mother who changed the name due to confusion with marijuana. The goal is to help children receive the best education. The success story of a child passing the high school proficiency exam at age eleven.

00:03:23 Alla's favorite food is caviar, which they believe has health benefits. They have a personal connection to caviar due to health issues in their family. They believe that caviar is rich in vitamins and can improve health. They express a desire to provide caviar to children in need.

00:08:44 Successful students who have achieved recognition and success in their respective fields. Ivy League Royal Academy also caters to students interested in technology and medicine. Overall, the program's goal is to inspire and support young talent.

00:14:50 Parents should be on the same page to avoid confusing their children. Limiting food choices too strictly can harm parent-child relationships. It's important to listen and support children's food explorations while advising moderation. Overprotecting kids can weaken their immune systems.

Meet Alla Matusov

Ivy League Royal Academy CEO Alla Matusov has a masters degree in science & education. She holds diplomas in theater, politics, and arts from the highest acclaimed European establishments. She has more than 30 years of experience in research, performing and visual arts, and education. Her acute knowledge of and personal friendship with literary luminaries, such as Ray Bradbury, places her in a unique position to give her students an insight into understanding and appreciating great writers and artists. Alla has keen eyes in recognizing and nurturing individual talent.

Connect with Alla Matusov

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alla-matusov-53864b170

Website: https://routenstein.wordpress.com/a-letter-from-our-founder/

On this episode of FoodED, host Lana Elgart invites special guest, Miss Lainie MA, to discuss the lack of focus on nutrition and healthy snacks within the educational therapy business and traditional schools. Miss Lainie, who runs Core Education Academy, emphasizes the importance of avoiding heavy sugar and sodas, and highlights the need for education on how proper nutrition benefits the body and learning abilities.

Core Education Academy follows a holistic approach that prioritizes nutrition, fitness, social and emotional learning, as well as academics. Miss Lainie believes that public schools should also prioritize these aspects and acknowledges the current problem within the education system. She appreciates efforts like this podcast to address the issue and believes that by sharing and raising awareness, more people will recognize the importance of holistic education.

Timestamps

[00:02:25] Customized, multisensory educational therapy for all ages.

[00:05:34] Limited sugar, healthy snacks for improved learning.

[00:07:31] Understanding the importance of health education.

[00:11:01] Revamp curriculum to educate kids on nutrition.

[00:15:41] Academics, SEL, and life skills classes weekly.

[00:20:10] Partners in health’s impact on education.

Connect with Miss Lainie

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miss-lainie-barbieri-28750211

Lanies Learning: http://www.lainieslearninglane.com/

Core Education Academy: https://www.coreacademy.net/aboutcore

On this episode of FoodED, host Lana Elgart sits down with special guest Hillary Drinkell, a former Montessori teacher and administrator, who now focuses on holistic health coaching, yoga, and Ayurveda through her business, Empowered Well-Being for Success. They discuss the importance of food in education and the challenges of promoting healthy eating habits, particularly in schools. Hillary highlights the significance of seasonal cooking and eating, explaining how it aligns with a healthy lifestyle and connects us with our natural environment.

Timestamps

[00:01:13] Montessori educator transitions to holistic health coaching.

[00:06:33] Balancing physical and emotional well-being through yoga.

[00:10:31] Garden curriculum integrates science, food, and nutrition.

[00:16:19] Food challenges and the importance of teaching healthy habits.

[00:20:34] Educate kids, teachers, and parents for health wellness.

[00:22:30] Psychologist said change is difficult after 12 years old. Mindfulness activity helps kids notice taste.

[00:25:31] Seasonal eating is important for children's education.

[00:31:02] Healthy bodies, happy lives.

[00:32:10] Take care of the body like cars.

Connect with Hillary Drinkell

Website: https://hillarydrinkell.com/?page_id=133

On this episode of FoodED, Svetlana Elgart, the host of the show, sits down with Dean Goldfein, the head of the Contra Costa Jewish Day School in the San Francisco Bay area, to discuss the role of food in the classroom. The school has been around for several decades and has 150+ students in grades K-8. It's a community Jewish day school that does not have any particular denominational affiliation, but roughly half the families are affiliated with a particular denomination of Judaism.

The school keeps kosher to an Orthodox modern standard because some families in the community are traditionally religious. The podcast explores the latest research and best practices in food education and aims to create a school environment that promotes thriving food education for all students.

Timestamps

00:02:14 A community Jewish day school with no denominational affiliation, Hebrew Judaics make up approximately 30% of the day, with a focus on humanities and critical thinking skills. Speaking modern Hebrew is emphasized due to its importance among half of the global Jewish population.

00:04:18 The school was founded with a diverse community and a strong math program. Israeli food development was also discussed.

00:07:59 The Torah has sections on what Jews can and cannot eat, including pork and shellfish. Goldfein now keeps to kosher provision protocols and does not mix milk and meat. He sees it as a way to be respectful of tradition and aware of what he's eating. There may not be any real nutritional or health benefits.

00:12:11 Working in a community school, Goldfein understands the challenges of catering to different Jewish dietary practices without excluding anyone. Living traditionally observant in San Francisco is difficult due to the limited availability of kosher options.

00:14:22 Hot lunch program with healthy options and limited meat. The school community struggles with sugary snacks and cultural traditions.

00:19:34 School offers a hot lunch program Tue-Thu, with rotating options & vegetarian alternatives. Kitchen open Mon/Fri for hands-on nutrition lessons.

00:23:09 Schools prioritize physical and mental wellness, with a focus on movement and outdoor activities. Encouragement to avoid prepackaged foods, setting limits on ordering out, and promoting healthy home-cooked meals.

00:27:08 Health, wellness, and movement in school are important.

00:29:09 Closing remarks: promote student success.

Connect with Dean Goldfein

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-goldfein-979ab14

Website: https://www.ccjds.org/about/administration-and-staff/

On this episode of FoodED, Lana Elgart sat down with Ryanne Plaisance, the Head of School at Argo Novice School, and Carrie Hartman, the Director of Culinary Programs. The trio discussed food education in schools and how it can be integrated into the core curriculum to help children live healthier lifestyles.

The guests share how their school program incorporates food education, including traveling to different parts of the world virtually and incorporating authentic food from local restaurants. They discuss the importance of educating teachers on health and nutrition topics and becoming partners in health to prioritize wellness in schools.

The podcast also covers the challenges in implementing such programs and how to creatively integrate food education into other core classes. Finally, the host encourages listeners to think about how they can support food education in their own communities.

Timestamps:

[00:02:46] A little about our guests and how their school emphasizes food education and uses it as a vehicle for change.

[00:06:15] Cooking teaches math and science to preschoolers and encourages them to try new foods. The program connects with global citizenship, virtual travel, community, and authentic flavors. Carrie plans meals and hosts tasting sessions to get kids' feedback and buy-in.

[00:07:57] Tastings help children expand their vocabulary and openness to try new foods. Teachers encourage feedback and the phrase "I'm not into it today, but I'll try it again some other time" is often recited.

[00:12:30] Is there enough time for educating kids on nutrition? Time is always a factor, but nutrition can be weaved into other classes like science and math. Schools should get creative and integrate nutrition objectives with core classes.

Teaching Families to Reinvent Their Cooking

In this episode of the FoodEd, we have Cynthia Salas Salgado, the manager for identification and recruitment for the Ventura County Office of Education’s migrant education programs. She leads efforts to locate migrant families and provide them with opportunities throughout education platforms.

Listen in to learn the importance of prioritizing providing nutritious meals to sustain the health and development of kids. You will also learn how Cynthia is helping teach families how to reinvent their cooking using the ingredients they already have to make healthy meals.

What You Will Discover:

·   00:00 Teaching Families to Reinvent Their Cooking

·   01:41 How Cynthia leads efforts to offer education opportunities to migrant families.

·   03:13 How County offices of education make themselves available to support schools.

·   05:55 Why most schools are seeking mental health services and resources such as food.

·   08:34 The importance of prioritizing healthy nutrition to sustain kids’ health and development.

·   12:47 The importance of food education in preparing kids to become health-conscious adults.

·   15:20 How to reinvent our food from unhealthy to healthy while incorporating culture.

·   22:45 Cynthia’s favorite food, plus her efforts in teaching families how to cook differently.

Connect with Cynthia:

·   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiasalas805/