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Equipped with planters, soil, and seeds, HISD’s Nutrition Services workers had all hands-on deck as they taught nearly 9,000 elementary and middle school students various ways to dig into good nutrition.
The day’s festivities were a part of Camp Lit, a two-day festival designed to promote literacy throughout the district. Gathered in the parking lot of Delmar Fieldhouse, students participated in outdoor tailgate-themed literacy games hosted by various district departments, sponsors, and partners.
Nutrition Services Quality Control Representative Donna Johnson said she really enjoyed demonstrating to students the value of good nutrition and good food by showing them how to plant their own healthy foods.
“Encouraging the students was a great opportunity,” Johnson said. “The students were excited about being able to grow their own vegetables.”
Not only did students learn about good food, they also got to eat it. Nutrition Services provided more than 13,000 meals for both students and volunteers during the two-day event.
“It was all hands on deck,” Nutrition Services Special Events Planner Nicole Bean said. “It took the entire Houston Eats staff and support from the Operations team to ensure the event was a success.”
In addition to tailgate games, the event also featured performances from various HISD marching bands, drumlines, and cheerleading teams, as well as the traveling UniverSoul Circus. Each student in attendance got to take home books courtesy of Houston-based Books Between Kids and the Astros Foundation.
“Camp Lit is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to get excited about reading about good health and having a productive summer,” said HISD Officer for Special Populations Courtney Busby, who helped organize the event.