About Office Locations Fall River Local Happenings
Fall River Office
Local Happenings
Fresh from the farm!
Come enjoy the sun, fresh air and local fruits and vegetables every Wednesday at the Fall River Ruggles Park Farmers' Market. We will be demonstrating recipes that feature fresh produce from the local farms in our area, there will be tastings as well from 10 - 12, August 4 to September 29.
The school year provides many opportunities for education for students and families!
The UMass Extension NEP program located in Fall River, Massachusetts implements a variety of program projects in a variety of venues in communities in southeastern Mass. In addition to Fall River, our office conducts programs in New Bedford and Taunton as well.
One of our more ambitious undertakings was the implementation of the Healthy Eating and Active Time Club (H.E.A.T. Club) in school curriculum for grades 1-3 in all nine Fall River elementary schools, as part of a larger Children In Balance (CIB) initiative. The curriculum provides education on nutrition and physical activity. The funding for the city wide CIB initiative has come to an end however, the school prgramming will continue to be provided by UMass Extension NEP staff.
Being active in the communities in which we work is also an integral part of the NEP mission. To that end, in Fall River, we work closely with the Healthy City Fall River initiative and the Partners For a Healthier Community. In Fall River and New Bedford we are active members in each community's Mass In Motion Intitiative, statewide intiative to address overweight and obesity in the Commonwealth. We continue to assist the communities with projects that will assist us with reinforcement of our major EFNEP and FNP education programming and provide resources for families to make positive changes in their food choice behaviors.
To view some activities from our 2009-2010 plan year projects in Fall River, click on the links below.
Fonseca Family Farmers' Market, Physical Activity and Nutrition Event
Spencer Borden Family Farmers' Market, Physical Activity and Nutrition Event
Survey Says!
Each year as we complete our lesson series in the elementary schools we ask for parent feedback. This feedback is always valuable and we are able to understand what is working and what needs work so that we can constantly evolve our lessons to create the most impact. Thank you to the classroom teachers who assist us with getting the surveys returned.
New Bedford Public Schools: 10 lessons in grades K-2 in all elementary schools.
Total children taught: 2288 Total surveys returned: 1085 Return rate: 47%
87% of parents were told about the program by their child(ren).
Parents responded to questions about their child(ren)'s food behaviors before and after the program.
74% report they eat more fruits and vegetables
82% report they try to eat healthier foods
80% report they do more physical activity
Parents also respond to questions about their own behaviors as a result of the information gathered from their children and the weekly newsletters.
78% report they eat more fruits and vegetables
82% report they like to try new foods
85% report they try to eat healthy foods
88% report they talk to their child(ren) about healthy eating or physical activity
Taunton Public Schools: 10 lessons taught in grade 2 in 6 elementary schools.
Total children taught: 323 Total surveys returned: 110 Return rate: 34%
88% of parents were told about the progran by their child.
Parents responded to questions about their child's food behaviors before and after the program.
83% report they eat more fruits and vegetables
85% report they try to eat healthy foods
80% report they do more physical activity
Parents also respond to questions about their own behaviors as a result of the information gathered from their children and the weekly newsletters.
78% report they eat more fruits and vegetables
85% report they try to eat healthy foods
72% report they eat more whole grain foods
75% report they do more physical activity
88% report they talk more to their children about healthy eating or physical activity.
