If you ask a first grader in Paige Svetahor's EFNEP class, there could be two right answers! Paige recently taught the EFNEP lessons, "Victorious, Glorious Vegetables" and "Fabulous Fruits" to youth attending a summer program. To reinforce the lessons, she led a hands-on compare-and-contrast activity that generated lots of enthusiastic responses. The stars of the show? Red grapes and grape tomatoes.
Food Detectives: Grapes vs. Tomatoes
What's small, round, red, and bursts with flavor when you bite into it?
Becoming Food Detectives
Before anyone took a bite, the youth were encouraged to become food detectives and examine the foods side-by-side. Paige challenged the kids to look closely and describe what was the same and what was different.
They put their thinking caps on to evaluate everything from shape and color to flavor and food groups. The youth were quick to note that the grape belongs in the fruit group, while the tomato is in the vegetable group.
Fun Fact: While tomatoes are botanically a fruit, nutritionally and functionally, they are considered a veggie!
The youth thoroughly enjoyed tasting the sweet juice of the grape and the savory tang of the grape tomato. Tasting the foods side-by-side was a fun experiment to complement the lessons. Offering interactive tasting and learning opportunities is a win-win strategy!
Great job, Paige, for bringing enthusiasm and healthy habits to Onslow County's youth.
