SUMMARY
The Healthy Harvest Challenge began with a mission to bridge gaps in nutrition education for children aged 4-7. Inspired by my background in farming and gardening, I designed a hands-on program focused on planting, cooking, and reflection activities to help kids build meaningful connections with healthy food. Through research and prototyping, I discovered that interactive activities and family engagement are key to fostering lifelong healthy habits. This program matters because it equips children and families, regardless of resources, with the tools to make informed, nutritious choices for a healthier future.
challenge
Through research and interviews, I identified key gaps in nutrition education, especially for schools in underserved communities. Many teachers lack resources to integrate hands-on activities, while parents often struggle to encourage healthy eating at home. Children need engaging, practical experiences, such as gardening and cooking, to build lasting connections with food. These gaps present opportunities to create accessible, low-cost templates that adapt to different budgets and settings, ensuring all children, regardless of their background, can develop lifelong healthy habits through interactive and family-focused learning.
Outcome
The project evolved into the Healthy Harvest Challenge, an adaptable, tiered program offering hands-on gardening, cooking, and reflection activities for children aged 4-7. It includes low, intermediate, and full-budget templates to suit varying school resources, making it accessible to underserved communities. By focusing on interactive learning and family engagement, the program addresses gaps in nutrition education, helping teachers integrate meaningful lessons and empowering parents to reinforce healthy eating habits at home. This flexible design ensures all stakeholders benefit, regardless of socioeconomic challenges.
