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New kids program at Pomegranate Market to offer hands-on learning about nutrition
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36 minutes ago
This piece is sponsored by Pomegranate Market
Family business Pomegranate Market will be welcoming more kids to its downtown store this fall with the kickoff of a popular new program focused on nutrition
Ellie Messler, whose brother Jonah, husband Gabe and father Craig own the Sioux Falls-based grocer, has a degree in dietetics and nutrition and a passion for teaching others about food and <a href="https://healthylife7.com/ecu-health-brings-penny-pinchers-tour-to-food-lion/” title=”ECU Health brings Penny pinchers tour to Food Lion”>healthy living
“While I don’t work in the field professionally right now, my knowledge has shaped so much of my life,” she said. “I’ve leaned on it in raising and feeding my kids, and I’ve leaned on it navigating my own autoimmune disease.”
Her oldest child is in third grade, and the family recently started homeschooling
“When I looked around for something supplemental to our core curriculum that, more than anything, was a place of community for homeschool families, I couldn’t quite find what I was picturing,” Messler said. “So I decided to build it myself.”
Pomegranate Pips will launch this fall, offering students in kindergarten through fifth grade a free weekly hands-on lesson running up to an hour
Classes will begin at 9 a.m. each Friday at the downtown Pomegranate Market store bistro, beginning Sept. 11 and running for 10 weeks
“My hope is that these lessons give children some real, practical food knowledge, but even more than that, that they become a place where homeschool families can connect with each other,” Messler said
Each week will bring a different theme — like Whole Grains Detective, Protein Power, Super Snacks, Sugar Sleuths and a Farm-to-Table Celebration
“We’re not just sitting at a table, we’re moving throughout the store for different activities. And every week, the kids get to try a new food item tied to that lesson,” Messler said
The registration cap for the first session has been met
“We’ve gotten a lot more interest than we expected,” Messler said. “But because of that, we are working hard to expand and serve as many families as we can.”
Pomegranate Market is talking about how to get creative to address demand
“My biggest hope is that kids can walk away feeling excited about the food they eat and eager to fuel their bodies with goodness,” Messler said. “I also hope that they find a new best friend.”
For Pomegranate Market, hosting the classes is a natural fit, Jonah Snyder said
“It reflects exactly what we’re about: being part of the community and offering access to local, nutritious food,” he said. “My sister is one of the most passionate people about natural food that I know. We’re excited that she’s bringing this to Pomegranate Market and the families we will serve.”
For information about the program,visit here, or contact Messler at emessler@pomegranatemarkets.com
Tags: Pomegranate MarketPomegranate Pips
