Serving Up MyPlate is a program designed to integrate nutrition education into Math, Science, English Language Arts, and Health. This yummy curriculum introduces the importance of eating from all five food groups using the MyPlate icon and a variety of hands–on activities, including the Sugar Experiment and a Taste Test. Students also learn the importance of physical activity to staying healthy. Many resources are also sent home to the families to incorporate the things learned in the classroom at home. Through pre-tests and post-tests, data is gathered to determine knowledge gained by the 3rd grade students. Fruits and veggies are not as boring when you can “eat a rainbow”.

The 2021 Health Assessment identified that only 18% of Fulton County youth ages, 8 - 12, ate 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. 37% ate 3 to 4 servings of fruits and vegetables per day and 40% ate 1 to 2 servings per day. The assessment also identified that over three-fourths (81%) of Fulton County children, ages 8 – 12, ate vegetables at least once per day during the past week. Nearly one-fifth (18%) of youth ate zero servings of vegetables per day in the past week.

To educate our children, youth and parents on the importance of getting the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables each day and doing so in a fun way, the Fulton County Health Department partnered with Fulton County United Way and the Four County ADAMhs Board  to bring Serving Up MyPlate to ALL Fulton County 3rd graders during the 2024-2025 school year. And...at the end of each program, each 3rd grade student receives a $10 fresh fruit and veggie voucher to use at their local grocery store.  What a great opportunity to try a new fruit or veggie!?!