The following lessons are for students in grades K-3 to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity. They are designed to be taught by a nutrition educator in the classroom once a month. The lessons coordinate with the Pick a better snackTM bingo cards and family newsletters, which are sent home after each lesson.
There are three sets of lessons that are repeated every three years and follow a tasting schedule. Fact sheets and coloring pages available on this website may be used to supplement the lessons. Nutrition educators must review these important food safety steps before teaching and use proper food safety practices.
The lessons support Iowa's Academic Standards for health education and science. The specific standards are listed in each lesson. Additionally, an overview of the standards addressed can be found in these documents.
Most lessons are 30 minutes. While the lesson in this video is a little shorter, it provides an example of a typical lesson.
To learn more about the efficacy of the program, check out the SNAP-Ed Toolkit.
Year 1 Lessons
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Year 2 Lessons (2022-2023)
September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Year 3 Lessons
The lessons below were designed for fruits and vegetables that can be sourced locally in Iowa. Nutrition educators can choose to offer a food tasting of one or more of the featured produce.
September
- K-1 Lesson, Summer Veggies (tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant)
- 2-3 Lesson, Summer Veggies (tomatoes, cucumber, eggplant)
October
November
- K-1 Lesson, Brassica Family (cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels spouts)
- 2-3 Lesson, Brassica Family (cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels spouts)
December
- K-1 Lesson, Root Veggies (beets, potatoes, carrots)
- 2-3 Lesson, Root Veggies (beets, potatoes, carrots)
January
- K-1 Lesson, Winter Squash (pumpkin, butternut, etc.)
- 2-3 Lesson, Winter Squash (pumpkin, butternut, etc.)
February
- K-1 Lesson, Food Preservation (frozen, canned, fermented, pickled)
- 2-3 Lesson, Food Preservation (frozen, canned, fermented, pickled)
March
April
- K-1 Lesson, Leafy Greens (microgreens, lettuces, baby kale, collard, spinach)
- 2-3 Lesson, Leafy Greens (microgreens, lettuces, baby kale, collard, spinach)
May
- K-1 Lesson, Spring Root Veggies (turnips, radishes)
- 2-3 Lesson, Spring Root Veggies (turnips, radishes)
Additional Worksheets
Nutrition educators may use these worksheets with the lessons posted above or with nutrition education sessions held afterschool or during the summer.
You may use the Contact Us system to send us a question online. For more information on the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) SNAP Program contact 1-877-347-5678.
This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Read the full non-discrimination statement and learn how to file a complaint.