Students Lead National Nutrition Month Celebrations

A resource fair with tips on eating healthier. Lectures on the benefits of a plant-based diet. An official proclamation from the Pomona City Council.

March was National Nutrition Month, and the Department of Nutrition & Food Science celebrated it in style.

The month-long observance began when Assistant Professor Emily Kiresich’s community nutrition class successfully petitioned the Pomona City Council to issue a proclamation recognizing National Nutrition Month on March 7.

It’s the third consecutive year that Cal Poly Pomona nutrition students have asked for and received the council’s support for the measure.

The largest event was a resource fair that nutrition education and counseling activity and lecture students held in collaboration with the Bronco Wellness Center at University Park outside the Bronco Student Center on Tuesday, March 15.

The students were from classes are taught by Lecturer Sangeeta Shrivastava and Assistant Professor Kellene Isom.

Students had 15 tables/booths, covering topics ranging from “Smart Snacking,” “Diversify Your Plate,” and “Healthy Ways to Hydrate,” to “Ready, Set, Breakfast,” “Eating on a Budget,” and “Eat Right on the Go.” The booths had nutrition-related flyers, quizzes, games, and displays for visitors.

In addition, the Bronco Care Basic Needs program and Student Health & Wellness Services had booths at the fair promoting their services to students and the CPP community.

Dozens of students passing by stopped to check out the booths and learn more.

Isom also was the featured speaker at a March 17 event hosted by the College of Science’s Health and Wellness Team.

She spoke on “The Power of Plants: Debunking Myths about Plant-Based Eating.”

National Nutrition Month is an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, everyone is invited to learn about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating and physical activity habits.

This year’s theme was “Celebrate a World of Flavors,” which encourages people to try new flavors and foods from around the world in pursuit of healthier diets.