CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Riverside County

CFHL, UCCE Riverside is proud to have partnered with Jackson Early Childhood Education (ECE) for over a decade, working together to nurture the growth of our youngest learners. From supporting the school garden to nutrition education, we’re all about planting the seeds for healthy, thriving futures!
✨ Highlights from this Year:
● Garden Support: Fall & spring planting events helped cultivate the school’s garden.

● Family Engagement: The Jackson ECE Walk-a-Thon is an event that allows families to enjoy a fun and engaging way to promote health and fitness! 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️

● Nutrition Education: Go, Glow, Grow curriculum, kids learned about healthy eating, physical activity, and handwashing habits. 🥦🍎🍊

● Physical Activity: CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), children walked, ran, jumped, danced, and moved their whole bodies while playing and having fun. 🏃‍♂️🤸‍♀️
“The garden is an amazing activity for the students - they really enjoy it. Thanks again for a wonderful year, hope we can plant again next year.”
- Jackson ECE teacher
Together, we’re creating lasting positive health impacts in schools and the community. 🌟

UC Agriculture & Natural Resources

Join Mead Valley Library for fun and educational lessons with Calfresh Healthy Living, UCCE Riverside, every Tuesday, through July 22nd from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. Last week, the youth learned how to cook a delicious stir-fry and participated in fun physical activities. On July 15th, children will explore the benefits of eating fruits and enjoy a fruit salad tasting. On July 22nd, they’ll discover a variety of spices and herbs used in cultural cuisines.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Spring has sprung, and summer is just around the corner! The Calfresh Healthy Living (CFHL), UCCE Riverside Team is excited to share some pictures from March and April.

At New Horizons High School, students rolled up their sleeves and helped fill a brand-new garden bed with lettuce, squash, and sugar snap peas.

At Banning High School, students participated in a Mental Health Wellness Walk, where CFHL, UCCE shared teen nutrition booklets with nutrition information and activities, along with recipe cards.

At Loma Vista Middle School, our educator explored different seed types with students, and the students made mini greenhouses with tomato seeds to take home and grow.

MyPlate is a healthy eating guide that you can personalize based on your preferences and cultural traditions. Get budget-friendly recipes, shopping tips, meal prep ideas, and more at myplate.gov/whatsonmyplate. Follow for additional healthy eating tips!

Transform canned beans and corn with a few fresh ingredients for a delicious salad! Check out this link to view this recipe. https://eatfresh.org/recipe/side-dish-salads-snacks/santa-fe-corn-and-black-bean-salad.

it only takes two days for milk to get from the farm to your school or local grocery store?! This National Milk Day let’s raise a glass to honor the hard work of our dedicated dairy farmers who ensure our access to nutritious and delicious milk! Learn more at: HealthyEating.org/NationalMilkDay

With winter approaching, CalFresh Healthy Living UCCE is excited to share our recent fall planting activities with the youth and adults at Jackson ECE, Arizona Middle School, and Riverside Faith Temple Ministries. Riverside Faith Temple Ministries planted broccoli, onions, lettuce, cabbage, and snow peas. Jackson ECE planted cabbage, peppermint, broccoli, mustard celery, spinach, purple cauliflower, and lettuce.

September 2024 was Rethink Your Drink Month. The Calfresh Healthy Living, UCCE Riverside County Team are pictured above serving samples of infused fruit water to students and teaching them about the importance of limiting sugar-sweetened beverages. We extend gratitude to Villegas Middle, Norte Vista High, Coral Mountain Academy, Palm View Elementary, DSUSD Child Development Center, Las Palmitas Elementary and Cesar Chavez Elementary for hosting these events. We reached a total of 2,723 youth and adult participants.

Did you know sodas and other sugary drinks come with some not-so-sweet health risks? Drinking too much sugar has been linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay. Let’s make healthier choices for a sweeter future!

As summer break comes to an end, CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Riverside County would like to share some summer highlights. A big shout out to the Community Settlement Association and Coral Mountain Academy for their continued partnership.

Benefits of using EBT/WIC benefits at local Farmer’s Markets

- Save Money! Farmers’ Market produce may cost less than grocery store!
- Farmers’ Market produce is grown locally and freshness is unbeatable!
- Supports the local economy!