Nonprofit uses vegetables to get elementary students thinking about food production

Could today's children be the first generation to have shorter life spans than their parents?

It's not a far-off question according to Melissa Blynn, executive director of the nonprofit Create A Change Now, which formed in 2009 with a mission to fight childhood obesity by educating children on healthier eating habits.

"There are a lot of factors that contribute to childhood obesity," Blynn said. "Technology causes a lack of exercise, there are a lot of processed foods, and portion sizes are much bigger now. Lower-income families also have a harder time affording certain foods. That's why we focus on educating children and inspiring them to eat healthier."

Clark County has the fifth-largest school district in the country with dropout and graduation rates that are the worst in the nation, according to createachangenow.org.

One out of every eight children in Clark County is overweight, according to Blynn.

The nonprofit has successfully planted its message in 13 at-risk elementary schools, including six northwest-area schools.

Duncan Elementary School, 250 Rome Road in North Las Vegas, has been participating with the program since fall 2014.

"I think nutrition plays a huge role in everyone's overall well-being," said Rick DiTondo, Duncan principal. "If your stomach is growling, you're not thinking about math. Nutrition has a direct impact on learning. The kids are learning a lot through this program, and they enjoy caring for the garden."

As part of the program, the school established a Garden Club to educate students and their families on nutrition and garden education.

The nonprofit works with the school and community partners to create four 4-foot-by-20-foot garden beds, and students are in charge of caring for their garden until it's harvested.

Students have the opportunity to plant radishes, kale, broccoli, bell peppers and melons, among other fruits and vegetables.

Local farmers are also invited to speak at the school about tips on gardening in the unique Nevada desert.

Chefs provide the school with hands-on demonstrations and visit classrooms twice a year to provide cooking demonstration in the hope that students share their healthy lifestyles with their families.

"I think that the chefs demos are really the icing on the cake," said Desiree Wylie, counselor and garden club coordinator at Duncan. "Kids need to see and experience different types of foods. Once they try something that they like, they are more likely to ask their parents to make it at home."

Blynn, a former nutritionist, became involved with the nonprofit after being exposed to 6-year-old children who had type 2 diabetes and other weight problems.

"It was hard to see kids suffer at such a young age," Blynn said. "These kids didn't just have health problems; they also struggled with emotional problems. They wanted to know, 'Why me?' They didn't feel like they belonged. They were angry."

She said children would often eat to fill an emotional need. Being raised on fast food instead of home-cooked meals also affects their health.

Because life has become so fast-paced, many families don't realize the importance of a home-cooked meal, said Julie Sanders, program manager for the nonprofit.

"We live in a super busy society, and many people have gotten accustomed to getting quick food," Sanders said. "It appears to be more cost-effective to eat fast food, but in the long run, it's not. Marketing is so great at selling food, but we need to look a little deeper at what really is in the food."

An estimated 70 percent of students in the program are Hispanic, Blynn said.

Through a recent partnership with Three Square food bank, once a month participating schools will hold a pop-up produce sale with 300 to 500 pounds of produce for students and their families, according to Blynn.

Farmers markets, which are open to the public, are also planned twice a year in the fall and spring at schools. The information is scheduled to be posted on the nonprofit's website once it's available.

Starting in fall 2016, students in kindergarten through fifth-grade will have a chance to learn about nutrition through curriculum formed by Create A Change Now.

"Lessons will be built upon each other with a total of 24 lessons over the course of five years," Blynn said. "It will be open to schools districtwide."

To participate, schools are encouraged to call for more information.

The nonprofit can take between four to five schools a year for its program. An application and interview is required.

Blynn estimates that it costs the nonprofit $10,000 per project.

"It's a great program because it makes (learning) real," DiTondo said. "This is not like something you read in a book. Students go out and get their hands dirty, literally."

For more information or to apply for the program, call 702-300-7399 or visit createachangenow.org.

— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.