| Reviewers Comments: | Safe Food & You provides food safety information tailored for several high risk population groups: expectant mothers, preschoolers and mothers of preschoolers. A variety of teaching agents are included, including lesson plans, a video, and handouts. The materials were developed for low-income populations and are designed to be used independently or in combination with other curricula already being used with these audiences.
There are three sets of lesson plans included: one for pregnant women, one for parents, and one for parents and preschoolers together. Lessons for parents and parents/preschoolers include more specific lesson plans for educators working with either individuals or groups. The preschooler lesson plan is only for group teaching. The lesson plans assume the educator has a background in food safety. While large concepts such as keeping food at appropriate temperatures are a part of the lessons, important details, such as temperature specifics are omitted. This resource does not provide health, nutrition or wellness information outside of the scope of food safety.
Lesson plans include stimulating activities, handouts, an evaluation, and a lesson summary. Some activities require materials that are not included. Handouts are copy-ready and include color photographs. Limited use of white space may make the handouts difficult or confusing for some populations. Evaluation materials for lessons with parents allow participants to set individual short term goals and forms for educators to follow up with them one month later. Evaluation materials, along with lesson handouts, are included in Spanish and English.
Interactive materials are included for educators to help teach the lesson. There are three songs about hand washing on the CD specifically for the preschoolers. These songs are good sound quality and lyrics are included in the curriculum. Sheet music is not provided. A list of recommended books is included to accompany the preschool lessons as well as activity and coloring pages about hand washing.
The DVD for expectant mothers features an upbeat video that follows an enthusiastic registered dietitian as she gets ready to host a baby shower. As she shops for and prepares the food for the shower, she reviews important food safety principles and ways to prevent foodborne illness. The video has good sound quality and some special effects. Food safety information is guided by the Fight Bac! guidelines and basic principles of clean, separate, cook and chill.
The dietitian first takes the viewer through the supermarket, where she shares advice for expectant mothers in the produce, meat, dairy and canned food aisles, including listing foods to avoid and tips for shopping on a budget. Some brand names and items are identifiable in the supermarket scenes. Back at home, the dietitian continues to impart food safety tips as she work preparing food for the baby shower. Most of these tips are important for all populations, not just expectant mothers. A review of the information presented is included at the end of the video. Although the video lacks cultural diversity, is suitable for appropriate target audiences and can be used as a stand-alone tool.
This resource can be a valuable tool for educators working in a variety of public health, community and counseling environments.
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