An Exciting Taste Test Idea!
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Jun 7, 2020
  • 2 min

An Exciting Taste Test Idea!

Taste testing is a great way to make trying food more fun and exciting. Sometimes the crazier the food, the more willing they are to try it!
29 views0 comments
Cultivating Creativity in the Garden
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • May 17, 2020
  • 1 min

Cultivating Creativity in the Garden

Now that gardens are planted, let's commission our little artists to create garden art!
27 views0 comments
The Tastiest Place to Learn
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Apr 30, 2020
  • 2 min

The Tastiest Place to Learn

Cooking is a wonderful way to integrate math, science, and literacy into an activity you have to do everyday.
13 views0 comments
Book Review: Little Sweet Potato
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Apr 16, 2020
  • 2 min

Book Review: Little Sweet Potato

This story is about a young sweet potato who accidentally gets tossed out of its garden into a scary unknown world.
24 views0 comments
Local Procurement Strategies to Support Farm to Early Care and Education
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Mar 31, 2020
  • 3 min

Local Procurement Strategies to Support Farm to Early Care and Education

An abbreviated guide to local food purchasing for ECE sites during this current health crisis
37 views0 comments
Shaping Young Lives Across Iowa with Go NAP SACC
Erin Olson
  • Mar 11, 2020
  • 2 min

Shaping Young Lives Across Iowa with Go NAP SACC

Go NAP SACC is an online tool that helps early care and education (ECE) centers and homes go the extra mile to support children’s health.
14 views0 comments
Growing the Seeds of Literacy Through Farm to Table
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Mar 5, 2020
  • 3 min

Growing the Seeds of Literacy Through Farm to Table

Not only is it important to read to children to develop literacy skills, but books can also help them make connections between farm to table
37 views0 comments
Culturally and Linguistically Inclusive Nutrition Education
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Feb 25, 2020
  • 2 min

Culturally and Linguistically Inclusive Nutrition Education

Food is an essential part of life. Food makes it possible to grow and learn, but it means much more than that.
100 views0 comments
Seed Starting for Beginners
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Feb 11, 2020
  • 2 min

Seed Starting for Beginners

For those of you new to the world of gardening or just the process of starting seeds indoors, here is a handy seed starting guide to follow.
90 views0 comments
2020 Healthiest State Awards: Early Care Provider Finalist Spotlights
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Feb 4, 2020
  • 5 min

2020 Healthiest State Awards: Early Care Provider Finalist Spotlights

2020 Healthiest State Award Early Care Provider Finalist Spotlights
68 views0 comments
A Recipe for a Successful Read Aloud
Katherine Bangert, M. Ed
  • Jan 22, 2020
  • 3 min

A Recipe for a Successful Read Aloud

Think about your favorite recipe or when you look up a new meal to prepare. Every recipe has at least two parts: 1) the ingredient list 2...
74 views1 comment
Get Outside and Play!
Alicia Weithers
  • Jan 14, 2020
  • 4 min

Get Outside and Play!

Winters in Iowa can be an overwhelming time for childcare programs. The weather swings back and forth like a pendulum, one day nice, the ...
37 views0 comments
Can't go on a field trip? Bring the farmer to you!
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Dec 30, 2019
  • 2 min

Can't go on a field trip? Bring the farmer to you!

Farm field trips are the perfect experiential learning opportunity for young children. Being on a farm is sure to be memorable for a smal...
14 views0 comments
Tis' the Season and the Yearly Question...
Anita Schuckert
  • Dec 6, 2019
  • 3 min

Tis' the Season and the Yearly Question...

"What to do for the families in our care???" No matter what holiday you or your families celebrate, we all want to show our appreciation ...
39 views0 comments
BOOK REVIEW: Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up (By Mollie Katz
Haleisa Johnson
  • Nov 12, 2019
  • 1 min

BOOK REVIEW: Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up (By Mollie Katz

I happened to purchase this book recently and to my surprise, it's a new favorite of mine. This visual children's cookbook will encourage...
33 views0 comments
What are Perfect Eaters?
Haleisa Johnson
  • Nov 6, 2019
  • 2 min

What are Perfect Eaters?

A note about the author, Haleisa Johnson is the Early Childhood Coordinator with Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness. Since being the NE Iowa...
19 views0 comments
FUN and HEALTHY Halloween Snacks
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Oct 29, 2019
  • 1 min

FUN and HEALTHY Halloween Snacks

In my household, Halloween may be surpassing Christmas as everyone's favorite holiday. The crisp, cool weather, playing dress-up, walking...
21 views0 comments
Fall Field Trip Fun=Farm to ECE!
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Oct 17, 2019
  • 2 min

Fall Field Trip Fun=Farm to ECE!

When asked the question, “Have you heard of Farm to ECE?” many will say no. Maybe it’s the formal name or the acronym “ECE?” Whatever it ...
21 views0 comments
Iowa Local Food Day: Let's "Root" for Iowa Farmers!
Anita Schuckert
  • Oct 8, 2019
  • 3 min

Iowa Local Food Day: Let's "Root" for Iowa Farmers!

HAPPY Fall, Y’all! Leaves are falling and autumn is calling, pretty colors fill the air. It’s time for hoodies, flannel, sweaters, and f...
18 views0 comments
Easy Homemade Applesauce
Staci Hemesath, RDN, LD
  • Sep 22, 2019
  • 1 min

Easy Homemade Applesauce

It's fall, and do you know what that means?! It's apple orchard season! If you've been thinking about how to introduce local foods into y...
10 views0 comments
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