Combining taste tests with nutrition education was a winning strategy for the team at Collinsville Independent School District in Collinsville, TX.

To encourage healthy eating at the elementary school, the district launched a “Taste Test Heroes” program. Students who were willing to taste a new food had their photo displayed on a “Taste Test Hero” bulletin board which encouraged participation. Food samples included dragon fruit, snap peas, cauliflower, purple sweet potatoes, and kiwi fruit. To explain the health benefits of the food samples, nutrition information was on display for students to see. The excitement grew with each taste test, with students asking what food would be next!

See the “Taste Test Heroes” at Collinsville:

Highlighting the health benefits of dairy, the district conducted a dairy taste test for the elementary students. Students were given milk or a yogurt parfait to taste test, photo ops in “moo” glasses, and a dairy bookmark for attending. Even the milk delivery truck driver was in attendance! Nutrition information about dairy foods was presented, including why dairy foods are a healthy choice. The school nutrition team enjoyed seeing students buzzing about the yogurt parfaits and the fun they had while learning about dairy foods.

For the junior and senior high school students, Collinsville’s school nutrition team encouraged students to choose beverages lower in added sugars, such as fruit infused water. To do this, they set up a taste test with different infused waters, such as cucumber, lemon, berries and citrus-flavors. A poster illustrated the difference in added sugars between soda drinks and the infused water choices. The impact of this was widespread, reaching all 297 of the junior and senior high school students. After attending the event, students reported making healthier beverage selections at lunch and the district plans to continue offering this education for future students.  

Congrats to the team at Collinsville Independent School District for leading the way in school nutrition! 

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