When Christopher Ang (’17) approached his professor with an idea for a nutritional program designed for youth in the local community, he never thought it would come to fruition. With a full course load and numerous commitments, Ang was afraid of taking on a project and not being able to see it through.

“I had always wanted to create something that would help educate the next generation about making healthier choices and living healthier lives, especially in the fast food-driven world they will grow up in,” he said. “I shared my desire to create the program and my fears of not being able to balance it with a full course load with one of my dear professors, Dr. Catherine Morley, during a conversation one day. She strongly encouraged me to go ahead, saying that I had nothing to lose by just taking the first step.”

Enter the Children’s Health and Nutritional Growth Experience (C.H.A.N.G.E.) program. The program, about to enter its third year, is designed for students at Wolfville Elementary School and runs once a week for the semester. Led by a team of eight University student volunteers, elementary students travel from their school to Acadia, where they are given a nutrition and health education lesson, a fitness break, and a taste of the kitchen. Students get to use simple and nutritious recipes and develop cooking skills. Topics revolve around the basics of healthy eating. They explore ways to use the Canada Food Guide, understanding nutritional facts, labels and ingredient lists, and how to choose healthier options when eating out. Recipes the students have worked on include fruit-infused water, homemade hummus and vegetable sticks, healthy chili, and sweet potato chips.

Community connection

On selected days throughout the term, students and leaders take trips to the Wolfville Nursing Home or the Wolfville Farmers’ Market. At the nursing home, students are paired up with residents in activities such as Christmas cookie baking and decorating, as well as Easter egg painting. At the Farmers’ Market, they visit vendors and hear about how produce is grown, harvested and prepared for sale. Students also participate in the community supper.

“I think one of the main benefits of this program, aside from learning basic culinary skills and developing healthier eating habits, is that all program participants get to connect with other members of their community,” Ang said. “This allows us to bridge the age gap between us and unite all members in activities that the young, middle-aged and elders can enjoy equally.”

Margaret Coghill, Program Director at Wickwire Place Assisted Living Residence, echoed Ang’s statement. “The C.H.A.N.G.E program has been a great opportunity for our seniors to get together with elementary school-age children and work together toward a goal, building a sense of comfort between two groups that have limited opportunities to interact. The room fills with laughter and chatting, bringing life and energy into the lives of those who participate,” she adds.

Ang credits the program’s success to his experience at Acadia and his connection to Wolfville. “My experience at Acadia, as well as the beautiful town of Wolfville, has truly been a blessing,” he said. “Having grown up in a large city, I never got the chance to experience the magic of community. Everyone is so warm, kind and supportive. Not only did being here inspire me to participate in any and all volunteering opportunities that came up, it also inspired me to make an effort to get to know the other members of the Wolfville community. This led me to connect with the Vice-Principal of the Wolfville School, as well as the Recreation Coordinator at the nursing home, both of whom have been instrumental to the creation of the C.H.A.N.G.E. program. Additionally, I could really sense that the faculty members in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at Acadia truly wanted their students to succeed in whatever they chose to do, and they were right there with them every step of the way, cheering them on.”