As I dietetic intern at the St. Louis VA Healthcare System, I help people learn about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Operation Food Search does this and so much more for the community of St. Louis as it helps people gain the shopping knowledge, the cooking skills, and the nutrition education, and actual food products to help reduce and eliminate hunger. I was blessed to be a part of Operation Food Search for two weeks. During this time, I participated in Cooking Matters for Kids, Teens, Child Care Providers, Adults, and Cooking Matters at the Store grocery store tours. After these experiences, I have seen how client-centered Operation Food Search is. The needs of each individual we reach are very different, but the instructors and tour guides do an extraordinary job of tailoring their programs to the participants.
I was very excited for this experience with Operation Food Search because I have been an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA). In this program, I worked in a rural community in northern Minnesota to provide a summer youth program with free lunch. It has exceeded my expectations; this one organization provides a ripple effect to the food pantries, volunteers, and the citizens of St. Louis. It provides a place for working together, having fun, and a positive learning environment.
One of my favorite experiences at Operation Food Search was leading a grocery store to a group of special needs students. They were excited to learn about the five food groups, choosing healthier foods, finding the best prices, and gaining the skills to help with grocery shopping for themselves and their families. We went over how to get the best prices for fruits and vegetables, choosing whole grains, buying turkey hot dogs instead of regular sausage (the students LOVED hot dogs), choosing lean meats, lower-sugar yogurt, lower-fat milk, and choosing better cheese. We were able to give them the tools to become more independent adults, as well as to help their parents shop!
Another favorite experience was working with the Youth Build organization. The students at Youth Build are awesome cooks, and have a great attitude towards learning. We talked with the participants about healthy fats, and cooked some delicious mango salsa, guacamole, and tilapia tacos!
Thank you, Operation Food Search, for this amazing opportunity to help the community of St. Louis and to build new friendships. You are doing a great job of reducing hunger and making our neighborhoods a healthier place.
Becky Walker – Dietetic Intern
