Food, Culture and Reading is a nutrition education curriculum that uses literature to learn about food, healthy living, and different cultures.
Through experiential activities, youth will be able to recognize a variety of healthful foods, taste new foods from other cultures, explore the similarities of food, and develop an understanding and appreciation of cultures that are different than their own.
Please note that this curriculum uses MyPyramid, a superseded version of the USDA recommended food guide. We encourage you to reference MyPlate for the most current guidance.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Recognize a variety of healthful foods with the food groups
- Taste new items from other cultures
- Explore the similarities of food
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of different cultures
4-H Food, Culture, & Reading Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
C1099E – 4-H Food Activity Worksheet
EM3443E – Dinner is Served: An Etiquette Guide
A publication with illustrations all about the etiquette for informal and formal dinners.
EM4733E – Food Activity Guidelines
Publication on: preparing dishes to wash, how to wash, rinse, and finish plus cleanup jobs after washing the dishes.
PNW250 – You Can Prevent Foodborne Illness
For adult helpers and club leaders
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Food Literacy Center: Lessons & Curriculum
Cultures, Food, and Communities Around the World
Students explore different cultures around the world and their unique traditions centered around food and its preparations. Students discover how food gets from the farm to the grocery store.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Coming soon!
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Create rich and delicious meals from Mexico, Africa, Japan, India, Italy, Greece, and Germany as you explore food history, customs, and nutrition to better understand our world.
Winter Fruit Drinks – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth learn about different traditions of warm fruit drinks, such as Ponche (Mexico), Sbiten (Russia), Jólabland (Iceland) and Wassail Punch (U.K.), by making their own recipe!
Team Cuisine – University of Minnesota Extension
Team Cuisine is a series of seven lessons demonstrating how youth can create nutritious meals while building and identifying cultural awareness and differences among recipes.
This series can be used with youth in grades K-13 in a 4-H club, after-school setting, day camp, at home or family events. Use the whole series, or individual lessons can stand alone for single-session programming.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Food, Cooking, & Culture: English Children’s Books
Food, Cooking, & Culture: Spanish Children’s Books
Delicious Picture Books that Celebrate Food, Family, and Culture
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
Cooking and Baking Curriculum Collection
Diversity and Cultural Education Curriculum Collection
Inspire kids to sink their teeth into the rewards of healthful home cooking! This kit helps your aspiring cook learn their way around the kitchen, with real cooking tools designed especially for them. This set includes:
1x Silicon Spatula
1x Measuring Cup Set (Includes 6 Measuring Spoons)
1x Set of 2 Flex-it Cutting BoardsOur 4-H Magnetic Oven Mitt is essential for any kitchen. Protect your hands from hot surfaces with this highly heat-resistant, 100% cotton mitt featuring a strong magnet that attaches to any magnetic surface. Crafted with robust stitching and double-insulated layers, this mitt is designed for long-lasting durability and superior protection.
All good cooks need an apron when they are whisking around the kitchen! The 4-H Clover apron is made of 100% cotton. Measures 26″ w x 35″ h. Adjustable tie strap and one large front pocket.