MFE Presents: Healthy Green Families
Welcome to the Healthy Green Families page! Below you will find various resources for both parents and educators to help children choose healthier meal options. With these simple tips and activities, you will be encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
#HealthyGreenFamilies
The spring and summer months is the perfect time of year to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. For National Gardening Month, visit a local farmers market and garden, plant a school, program, or family garden, create an arts and crafts project, read books about healthy foods, and watch gardening videos with children.
To ensure low-income families have access to healthy meals this summer, the USDA has announced it will offer P-EBT benefits to all low-income children, which will help families put nutritious food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Check out MFE’s #HealthyGreenFamilies!
- Arika’s Daycare
- The Judy Center at Belle Grove Elementary
- The Charles County Judy Center
- The Judy Center Early Learning Hub at Church Hill Elementary
- The Frederick County Judy Center
- Hornblower Early Childhood Center
- The Judy Center Early Learning Hub at Sudlersville
- The Wicomico Judy Center Partnership
Learn how to become “A Healthy Green” family, school, or program with MFE’s Spring Gardening Tips.
- MFE Presents: Spring Gardening Tips
- MFE Presents: A Health Green Family
- Team Nutrition Garden Resources
- Local Food Directories: National Farmers Market Directory
- Gardening with Kids
- Explore Produce With Kids
- How to get kids to eat vegetables
MFE Presents: Make Your Own Popsicles!
Strawberry, banana, orange, peach, or a combination of fresh flavor and yogurt? Pop into summer with homemade popsicles. There is nothing better than beating the heat with a healthy, fresh-from-the-freezer Popsicle made together as a family. Help children develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Share your pop photos or video with @MDEngageEarly on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using Hashtag #HealthyGreenFamilies. We will add you to our list.
Watch the video here and check out the website each week for our Top 5 Popping Fruity Summer Treats:
- Fruit ‘n’ Yogurt Swirl Pops
- Kiwi Ice Pops
- Orange-Banana Smoothie Pops
- Red, White & Blue Popsicles!
- Rainbow Popsicles
The Family Seed Challenge
Tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers, oh my! For the spring planting season, teach children the value of growing their food by planting a family or school veggie garden. Take the family seed challenge! Showcase your children’s green thumbs by sharing photos with @MDEngageEarly on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Teachers/Providers: Start A School Garden – Here’s How
- Parents and Families: How to Start a Vegetable Garden With Your Kids
National Tomato Day: Tomatoes are the focal point of favorite dishes such as fresh garden salad, spaghetti, and tacos. Children will be amazed by how it starts with a single seed. Learn how to grow tomatoes with children:
- A Kid-Friendly Guide to Growing Tomatoes
- How to Grow Tomatoes at Home with Your Kids
- 10 Tips for Growing Tomatoes
MFE Presents: The Top 10 Spring Recipes for Family Dinner! Help children develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.
- Recipe One: Broccoli Crust Pepperoni Pizza.
- Recipe Two: Green Bean Caprese Salad
- Recipe Three: French Bread Taco Pizza
- Recipe Four: Spicy Corn Soup
- Recipe Five: Beef Taco Skillet
- Recipe Six: Mouthwatering Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Recipe Seven: Sheet Pan Rainbow Nachos
- Recipe Eight: Bunny Pizza
- Recipe Nine: Grilled Veggie French Onion Flatbreads
- Recipe Ten: Spinach & Strawberry Pasta Salad
What’s for Dinner Tonight? Discover nutrition tips, fun and creative recipes, and more with The MFE Nutrition Collection on the resources page. New resources are coming! So visit the nutrition collection often.
