In a recent event at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), a Nutrition Café was organized under the aegis of the Department of Human Sciences. The focal points of the event were a discussion on nutritional facts, a display of healthy recipes, and a food demonstration led by a top-notch chef. Participants were able to sample healthier food options, including a wide variety of fresh vegetables and a sugar-free dessert and were provided with healthy recipe handouts. This timely event was particularly relevant to the attendees preparing for homecoming gatherings, tailgating, and the upcoming holiday season.
The Nutrition Café took place at the UAPB Business Support Incubator located in downtown Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The attendees got the opportunity to sample a diverse assortment of fresh vegetables and a sugar-free dessert. They also received healthy recipe handouts featuring dishes such as Hummus, Cauliflower Pizza Crust, and Graham Cracker Crust, all chosen with game-day favorites in mind.
One of the main attractions of the Café was a food demonstration by Master Chef and UAPB assistant professor of food service and restaurant management, Dr. W. Jinnings Burruss Jr. In his demonstration, he focused on how to prepare hummus, citing the recipe’s simplicity, speed, and low cost. Attendees relished the hummus, with a colorful array of freshly harvested vegetables.
The event also featured an information session on the types of fats and their impact on our health. Dr. Kimberly Haynie, UAPB Associate Professor of Food and Nutrition Science, highlighted the differences between good and bad fats and advised against foods that could pose risks to heart health.
The underlying theme of the event was the celebration of the Evans Allen Demonstration Garden Site Project, led by Dr. Marilyn Bailey, interim chair of the Department of Human Sciences at UAPB. Their goal is to foster healthy eating habits beginning in the classroom itself, with a primary focus on fresh fruits and vegetables. Representatives from childcare centers across four counties attended this session.
Dr. Bailey’s motivation for this project was a conversation she had with a preschooler who believed French fries came from McDonald’s. The shock and amusement of this innocent statement drove her to write a proposal for this initiative together with Dr. Janette Wheat, another assistant professor in the Department of Human Sciences.
The interactive session was filled with parents, caregivers, and their children, all keen on learning how healthier eating habits and diet modifications could positively impact the body and mind. The significance of healthier eating habits has increased in the context of visible social and emotional issues surfacing in the wake of the recent global pandemic. These issues, such as depression, affect both mental health and wellness, and according to Dr. Bailey, are becoming increasingly evident even in younger populations.
The nutrition cafe sought to bring childcare center providers together to come up with innovative ways to inspire children to eat healthily using hands-on experiential learning, curriculum models, and an added bonus – the opportunity to interact with the UAPB farm manager.
With the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic still palpable, giving children an outlet to relieve stress through engaging with nature and working with soil is a therapeutic activity. As a part of this initiative, the ultimate objective is to support the mental health and wellness of these young individuals. This project’s continuation is ensured by extending its operations beyond the official closure timeline in September 2024.
Dr. Bailey expressed her excitement about the project’s potential, saying, “We’re looking forward to keeping this project going for years to come.” She also encouraged the audience to continue participating and actively engaging in the project for its future success. Providing an equal opportunity to all, without any social or racial discrimination, was the University’s non-negotiable principle throughout. With community inclusivity at its core, the Nutrition Café is an initiative in the right direction. Together with its other Extension and Research programs, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff continues to contribute significantly towards fostering a healthier and more inclusive society.
