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Kay County Extension offering summer food workshop

By Everett Brazil, III

THE Newkirk Herald Journal

NEWKIRK — Summer break is underway, and many students are taking part in many activities, from athletics and summer school to NASA at NES. Some are simply taking their few months off to relax and go on vacation. Those wanting to gain insights about healthy living have a chance to learn more lessons, as Kay County Extension is offering snack tips through the KiK it Up! program to offer healthy eating tips throughout the summer.

KiKit Up!, or “Kids in the Kitchen,” is a youth nutrition program operated through the OSU Community Nutrition Education Programs division, and is facilitated locally by Newkirk Go-Getters 4-H leader Lori Evans. The program will last seven weeks, with each week covering a different treat recipe. The program is geared toward students aged 6 – 15.

“I’ll come in, and do seven different one-hour sessions, and in the lessons, we will learn food safety, like washing your hands before you prepare food, and we will prepare a healthy snack,” Evans said.

There will be a different snack each week, all of which are easy to prepare and with few ingredients. Recipes include peanut butter Play-Doh, taco bowls, tortilla twists and granola sundaes.

“There are usually five ingredients or less, and can be made in less than 15 minutes,” Evans said.

There are no specific meeting times; rather, Evans will meet with individuals, and even groups, to share healthy snacks. While families are able to be present, the meetings are only open to the youth participants.

“I will go to their house, or we can meet in a public place,”Evans said. “We’ll talk a little bit, do some fun thing and make a snack,” Evans said.

The ultimate goals is to teach youth to learn not only healthy food safety, but also healthy snacks for the students.

“It is important to tell children about food safety when preparing foods, things to watch for and do when preparing food and promote healthy snacks and food,” Evans said.

For more information, including to set up a meeting, contact Evans at Lori.evans@okstate.edu, or call (580) 362-3194.

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