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Many families are busy gathering supplies needed to start the school year. Some may find it difficult to fall back into the back-to-school routine with homework and extracurricular activities. It is important to not forget about eating healthy before, during, and after school.
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Plan ahead! Getting back into a routine can be hectic! Check your calendar and set a day to plan your menu for the week. Keep basic pantry items in your pantries so that you always have something on hand.
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Make big batches and freeze for later. To save some time for last minute dinners, double batch your recipes. You can freeze the leftovers and reheat them as needed.
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Simplify meals. Healthy meals do not have to be fancy. Make a simple grab and go meal sfor children that include the five food groups. Examples include boiled eggs, cheese sticks, watermelon, baby carrots and whole-grain crackers.
https://food.unl.edu/free-resources/newsletters/family-fun-run/fall-back-good-nutrition/
| | Let's Get Movin': Cross the River! | | |
Equipment Needed
- Sidewalk chalk or poly spots
- TIP: Don’t have the items needed to play? Any small object that is safe to jump on can be used. You could also create shapes to jump across using string or tape!
Get Ready!
- Create a river (i.e., two shores with water in between) by marking two parallel lines at least 20 feet apart.
- Create rocks in the river (~24) by placing poly spots or drawing them with chalk.
- Choose one person to call out instructions.
Instructions:
- Players will begin hopping from rock to rock (one- or two-footed hops) while trying not to fall in the river. If you fall in, go back to the shore and start over.
- If two players reach the same rock, work together to share the space.
- If the player chosen to give instructions yells “freeze,” everyone must stop where they are and try to balance on the rock.
- See how quickly you can make it across the river! Support your friends and family as they play.
TIP: Play the game like musical chairs, removing a rock with each attempt!
Questions to discuss during the game:
- Do you think people naturally have good balance, or do you think people need to practice balance? Why?
- Why do you think balance is important?
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/extd8/files/documents/50446/cross-river-take-home-sheet-2021.pdf
| | Harvest of the Month: PEPPERS! | | |
Fun Facts
- Peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C.
- Red peppers are a good source of vitamin B6, which helps your body build healthy blood cells.
- Red and orange peppers contain lots of beta-carotene, which help keep the eyes, skin, and whole body healthy.
What to Look For
- Look for firm peppers that have thick, shiny, smooth skin and green stems.
- Choose sweet peppers with a solid color.
- Store whole peppers in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Wrap cut peppers in plastic and store for up to three days.
https://carolinahungerinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Peppers.pdf
| | Recipe Highlight: Vegetarian Sweet Peppers | | |
Ingredients
- 2 large sweet red peppers
- 1 can stewed tomatoes
- ⅓ cup instant brown rice
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- ¾ cup kidney beans; rinsed and drained
- ½ cup frozen corn thawed
- 2 green onions; thinly sliced
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⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Directions
- Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove the seeds
- Place peppers in an ungreased microwave safe dish.
- Cover and microwave on high for 4-5 minutes or until tender
- Combine the tomatoes; rice, and water in a microwave safe bowl.
- Cover and microwave on high until rice is tender, 5-6 minutes. Stir in the beans, corn, onions, and pepper flakes. Add mixture into the pepper boats.
- Sprinkle it with mozzarella and Parmesan. Microwave, uncovered, until heated through, 3-4 minutes.
https://canva.link/p7vqe224fm87b3p
| | SUN Bucks is back for Summer 2026! SUN Bucks is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits in the form of a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card. This card can be used to purchase nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out. If you would like to know more about the SUN Bucks program or check to see if your child may be eligible, please visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks. | | SNAP provides monetary assistance to supplement the food budget of households that meet the financial and resource requirements. | | | | |
Foods available under SNAP:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, and fish
- Dairy products
- Breads and cereals
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat
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Second Harvest Food Bank's Nutrition Services is committed to working with low-income families seeking to improve their nutrition and health, partnering with our agency programs and community groups.
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