Local ninth graders in Halifax County recently learned how simple, nutrient-dense ingredients can come together to create balanced, customizable bowl meals. Partnering with local health and physical education teachers, NC Cooperative Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) brought the Fuel for Life curriculum into the classroom for engaging, hands-on basic nutrition education.
During the session, students learned the core technique of building meals using fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy while exploring ingredient swaps to accommodate preferences and special dietary needs. This hands-on experience directly aligned with state health education standards by applying practical meal preparation techniques to help students learn basic meal planning, food preparation strategies, and methods for preparing balanced, nutrient-dense dishes.
To bring the lesson to life, EFNEP educator Chrissy guided student volunteers in preparing a delicious Southwest Bowl. The class was fully engaged and loved tasting the final dish, with several students remarking that it was better than similar build-a-bowl meals from restaurants and asking for seconds. The host teacher also voiced strong appreciation for the EFNEP partnership and its positive impact.