Local News 18 February 2016

Free Teacher Toolkit to help classrooms learn better nutrition choices

Martin’s Super Markets has launched a new initiative, Mission: Nutrition, in conjunction with National Nutrition Month in March. The program is geared toward providing free resources to school teachers of grades Kindergarten to 2.

Mission: Nutrition is the newest project to be unveiled as part of Martin’s ongoing Kids Club. Membership in Martin’s Kids Club is free, and participating families are eligible for healthy free snacks monthly, as well as fun activities in coordination with community partners.

Kristin Humes, RDN CD and Martin’s Health & Wellness Advisor, has created a complete Teacher Toolkit, with the aim of helping kids gain the skills they need to live a healthy lifestyle and make sound food choices. Each Teacher Toolkit includes the following:

30 portion plates

30 pencils

30 eating wheel coloring activities

1 paperback copy of Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat

30 Martin’s Kid Club Cards (good for a free produce item each month)

USB drive with four lesson plans, song lyrics, posters, activity sheets, coloring sheets, handouts, assignments, and much more

Classes that participate in Mission: Nutrition will also have the opportunity to win a hands-on cooking lesson with Humes. A limited number of free Teacher Toolkits were made available on a first-come, first-serve basis. All kits were claimed within hours of having been made available late last week.“The response to our offer was immediate,” said Humes. “This speaks to the importance teachers and parents place on the role of nutrition and exercise in the development of their children. We’re pleased that Martin’s can help get the message out in a fun and engaging way.” Martin’s Super Markets was founded in 1947 and currently has 22 stores in South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart, Goshen, Plymouth, Nappanee, Logansport and Warsaw, Indiana, and Niles, Stevensville and St. Joseph, Michigan.