Angie Lawrence, EFNEP Educator in Brunswick County, recently took local youth on a culinary and nutritional mission to learn all about grain foods. But she didn't just teach them about food; she helped them become "Whole Grain Detectives."

Unlocking the Mystery of the Grain

Why a detective? Because as Angie taught the kids, you can’t tell if a food is a whole grain just by looking at it! Dark bread isn't always whole wheat, and clever packaging can sometimes fool us.

To solve the mystery, the young detectives learned all about the anatomy of a whole grain. They discovered that a true whole grain is made up of three essential parts:

• The Bran: The fiber-rich outer shell that protects the seed.
• The Germ: The nutrient-packed core where growth begins, loaded with vitamins and minerals.
• The Endosperm: The starchy middle layer that provides energy.

Together, this trio delivers a powerhouse combination of fiber, starch, vitamins, and minerals. So, how do our detectives spot them? Angie showed the youth participants the ultimate secret weapon: The Nutrition Facts label, teaching them exactly where to look on a package to confirm a food is 100% whole grain.

All Aboard the Grain Train!

To reinforce the lesson, Angie led a high-energy game that was a mash-up of Simon Says and Pin the Tail on the Donkey.

Angie set up a Grain Train poster outside and handed out grain cards to each student. The goal? Be the first to reach the Grain Train! But to get there, the kids had to put their knowledge—and their bodies—to the test.

Angie called out commands that required both quick thinking and physical activity:

"Take 3 giant steps forward if you need grains every day!"
"Hop 3 times on one foot if rice is a grain!"
"Take 4 baby steps forward if there are vitamins and minerals in grains!"

The kids hopped, skipped, and stepped their way to the finish line. By the time the race to the Grain Train was won, the entire group had learned the essentials of whole grains while staying active and having fun.

Small Steps to Healthier Futures

Thanks to Angie Lawrence’s creativity, Brunswick County youth had a wonderful experience learning about grain foods. These new "Whole Grain Detectives" are now officially ready to put their skills to use and choose healthier grain foods every day!