Celebrate food….from field to table! 

March is Nutrition Month and the 2011 campaign focuses on a celebration of food – from where it’s grown and harvested all the way to appetizing and healthy food on our tables. 

Learning where food comes from by visiting local farmers markets or taking the time to visit one of the local farms or growers found on the Chatham-Kent Buy Local Buy Fresh map is a great way to experience the variety of foods that are found right here in Chatham-Kent.  There is nothing tastier then a freshly picked strawberry or more rewarding then picking your own apples to turn into your favourite apple crisp recipe.  This is a great way to support our local growers and include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as other new and interesting ingredients.  For those who enjoy a challenge, you may want to consider starting a garden in your backyard or join one of the many community gardens throughout Chatham-Kent.  This is a great activity for people of all ages.  Children enjoy digging in the dirt, choosing the seeds to plant, watching it grow and getting to taste the fruits of their labour.  Many children will try new fruits and vegetables simply because they have put so much work into these gardens.  Its also a great way to spend quality time and be active as a family.

One of the challenges we often face is getting a quick, healthy meal on the table when we need it.  There are lots of things that you can do to help make this easier:

• Plan for Extras – use leftovers from tonight’s roast beef dinner to make a quick meal of roast beef sandwiches or fajitas for tomorrow’s dinner. 
• Use convenience foods to your advantage – use ready to eat produce like salads or a rotisserie chicken to cut down on your dinner prep.
• Plan your meals in advance – having a weekly menu (with even just 3-5 meals planned out!) will make it easy to know what to make and also to have the ingredients on hand.  It also makes it easy for older children or teens to get started on the meal, especially if they have the recipe nearby.
• Learn how to cook – for anyone who doesn’t know how to cook or would like to learn new food skills, consider trying out some of the cooking programs offered through the health unit or other local agencies

Eating together as a family or with friends can have many health benefits – kids and teens from families, who eat together, eat better – they eat more fruits, vegetables and milk products.  Families who eat together also have children who are at decreased risk for being overweight or obese.  They also have children who perform better in school and childre have a better food and nutrient intake.  Older adults who eat with others tend to have improved energy, reduced malnutrition and more social contacts and increased participation in recreational and social services.

For busy families, try to schedule at least a couple nights a week that the family can sit down together to eat.  For older adults, try getting together with friends to share meals and take turns preparing the food.