Nutrition and Food Services

Cathy D’Orazio, Registered Dietitian Consultant, MS, RDN, CSSD, LDN

CURRICULUM: THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS KIDS EAT RIGHT CURRICULUM

Healthy. Safe. Fun!

The Nutrition and Food Services Program provides nutritional care and nutrition education that enhances the health and well-being of every student and staff member at Overbrook School for the Blind. Nutrition activities enhance classroom education through hands-on learning about food, health, and agriculture.

Students are exposed to healthy foods through taste tests, farm to table projects, cooking events, art class, and Wellness Wednesday workshops. A Student Nutrition Committee meets monthly to discuss food and health initiatives at OSB, and their ideas drive many of the food and nutrition activities at school.

All of our students can participate in the nutrition and wellness programs, whether it be a food activity, hands-on gardening or a movement activity; we modify so that all students can participate. It's great to watch students try a new healthy food and to witness the empowerment and confidence they feel when they try something new after learning about its impact on their health. Our data shows that there is a willingness to try new foods when the foods are introduced in a fun and creative manner, particularly when the students grow the food!!

Partnering with a variety of groups including the Philadelphia Free Library Cookability Team and Chef Devon (who is a visually impaired professional chef), has provided students with amazing cooking experiences. Holy Family University’s Athletic Department has sent student-athletes to work with OSB students during our annual Hoopla for Hearts wellness event.  

An interest in healthy eating, sustainability, and farming took the OSB Farm to Table Program from humble beginnings to a robust Farm to Table program with most students involved in the seed to food movement. Now, OSB is opening a new greenhouse with classroom space which will open this year!