Educational Materials
The mission of the UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program (NEP) is to provide individuals, families, and communities with the knowledge and skills to manage their food resources effectively and enjoy healthy foods, and physical activities for longer and more fulfilling lives. Our materials are designed to promote healthy and active lifestyles.
These publications contribute toward this mission by helping individuals and families apply the principles of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and Choose MyPlate in their daily lives. The materials were developed for families and communities who participate in the Nutrition Education Program.
Food Explorer Posters
Below is a series of posters featuring a different fruit or vegetable each month. The goal of the monthly posters is to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables by increasing students' exposure to different produce and building excitement around school meals.
Series 1 features the following 12 fruits and vegetables:
Apples and Cranberries, Carrots, Green Beans, Greens, Oranges, Peaches and Nectarines, Pears, Strawberries, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Winter Squash, Zucchini
Food Explorer Posters Series 1
Series 2
Series 3 features the following 12 fruits and vegetables:
Arugula, Beets, Celery, Fresh Herbs, Garlic, Hot Peppers, Onions, Plantains, Plums, Radishes, Turnips, Watermelon
Food Explorer Posters Series 3
Parent Newsletters
Show Me Nutrition is a nutrition curriculum, developed by the University of Missouri, which focuses on healthy eating and an active lifestyle. The Parent Newsletters are designed for parents and caregivers to support learning about healthy messages. They were adapted with permission from the University of Missouri Extension and are available in English and Spanish.
Jump-start your Brain with Breakfast
Calcium: It's Not Just for Kids
Checking the Nutrition Facts Label
Pump Up Health when Dining Out
Healthy and East to Prepare Snacks
Try a New Activity and Limit Screen Time
Making Food Safety the Easy Choice
Nutrition Bites Recipes
Discover MyPlate Lessons
This is a series of 4 lessons recommended for elementary school age children. They are designed for parents to use when teaching their children at home but could be adapted for the classroom.
MyPlate Character Cards - Spanish
Fruits and Vegetables Color Shield
Discover MyPlate Lesson 1 - Spanish
Discover MyPlate - Whole Grains - Lesson 2
Discover MyPlate - Whole Grains - Lesson 2 - Spanish
Discover MyPlate - Fruits and Vegetables - Lesson 3
Discover MyPlate - Fruits and Vegetables - Lesson 3 - Spanish
Discover MyPlate - Protein and Dairy Lesson 4
Discover MyPlate - Protein and Dairy Lesson 4 - Spanish
Taste a Rainbow Lesson and Worksheets
Taste a Rainbow is a lesson designed for children in Pre-K and Kindergarten. It promotes the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, recipes and food safety best practices. A taste-testing activity walks the children through an exercise about using their senses when trying new fruits and vegetables and coloring worksheets reinforce the 5 food groups and their rainbow of colors.
Food Safety and Healthy Eating Tips
Health Benefits, Activities and Recipes
Taste a Rainbow Green Worksheet
Taste a Rainbow Orange Worksheet
Taste a Rainbow Purple_blue Worksheet
Taste a Rainbow Yellow Worksheet
