June 28, 2023 -- Cruising through the streets of Central Ohio, the Wexner Mobile Kitchen added Georgian Heights Elementary School to the list of its many stops.

The industrial kitchen on wheels educates the community about nutrition and seeks to enhance the culinary skills of its consumers. 

“It’s really important to instill those values from a very early age,” said Cameron Stauffer, senior culinary educator and registered dietitian. “As [the students] grow older and start to have more autonomy over their food choices, they can make the best choices for themselves and their families.”

Stauffer and her colleagues, along with their pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first-grade volunteers, brought along an appetizing activity from USDA’s MyPlate. Together, students velcroed fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy foods to build a healthy, well-balanced, and nutritional plate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

“We can show them what a healthy plate looks like and how to incorporate all those beautiful colors,” said Stauffer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “healthy eating can help individuals achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, consume important nutrients, and reduce the risk of developing health conditions.”

Following the activity, students were gifted a nutritious snack full of vegetables, cheeses, crackers, and dipping sauces replicating the MyPlate chart.

“[We’re] setting them up for success when it comes to nutrition so that it can help them in school and in life,” Stauffer added. “Good nutrition will set these kids up for success.”

For information and activities to promote positive nutrition and culinary skills in children, visit myplate.gov.