Since its inception over a decade ago, the Children’s Health and Nutritional Growth Experience (CHANGE) program has evolved in exciting ways.

CHANGE is a student-run club that connects Acadia student volunteers with kids at Wolfville School to teach them how to lead a balanced, healthy life. With themes ranging from sports nutrition to knife skills, CHANGE volunteers engage Wolfville School students in fun and creative ways to nourish themselves.

While the initial mission to foster healthy food habits in kids remains, CHANGE has done just that—change—to adapt with the times.

Renovations at the Wolfville School food lab saw CHANGE move to the Wolfville Farmer’s Market this semester. What was initially seen as a logistical challenge has emerged to have several silver linings. CHANGE Program Coordinator, Maggie Furlong (fourth-year, Nutrition & Dietetics), says, “it was a lot to deal with—but running the program out of the market turned out to be a really great opportunity.”

Cooking outside of the box

It turns out that the new venue and its surroundings offer fresh possibilities for CHANGE. For example, Maggie and her team of volunteers recently led the kids along the nearby rail trail to learn how to plant seeds as part of a lesson about local food systems.

The program also deepened their connections with the larger Wolfville community. While she was cleaning up after a session, CHANGE Communications Coordinator Grace Naugler (fourth-year, Sociology) was approached by a farm market volunteer. She told Grace how happy it made her to see the farm market kitchen being used as intended. “She was so excited to see the kitchen come to life with all the kids there,” Grace said.

Exploring new food

Exploring new opportunities (and flavours!) is central to CHANGE. As kids learn about kitchen safety and creating balanced lunches, they also expand their palates.

“One of the greatest parts of CHANGE is when the kids try new things that they say they won’t like” explains Maggie. “Most fifth and sixth graders don’t like sushi, but they tried it in the program and now they ask for it every semester.”

The grade schoolers aren’t the only ones trying new things.  “We made sweet potato energy balls, and I had never thought of that as a combination before,” said Grace. “I felt like I was learning too!”

Creating and connecting to community

Some things stay constant, like the return of familiar faces. Maggie, who has been involved in CHANGE all four years of her degree, loves seeing kids return to the program. “There are two kids that have been involved since my first year,” she said. “It’s really great to see how much they love it!”

“I saw one of the kids from CHANGE while I was on a walk, and they asked if I was doing ‘the cooking program’ again this year. When I said, ‘yes,’ they cheered!”

It’s been a highlight of her time at Acadia. “There are so many other great clubs on campus, but I particularly love how much CHANGE does to directly impact the community,” she says, adding that she envisions future growth for the program including more schools and partnerships with other community organizations.

Get the CHANGE experience

Stay updated with CHANGE (and snag some recipes!) by following them on Instagram! CHANGE is open to student volunteers from any program at Acadia—send them a message at changeacadia@gmail.com to learn more!