Implementing Service Learning: From Nutrition Education into Community Action

Abstract

Service learning integrates academic learning and relevant community service with classroom instruction, focusing on critical, reflective thinking and personal civic responsibility. Through a grant, community college students were provided with grocery store vouchers to purchase unfamiliar, healthy foods. Students were taken on an educational “tour” of a local supermarket and were shown how to grocery shop according to dietary guidelines.  Students then engaged in service learning by going out into their communities where they acted as nutrition educators and taught community members skills they initially learned.  As a result of this project, students reported success in applying the knowledge and skills learned from one setting to another.  By engaging in service learning, students also reported improved nutrition knowledge and overall confidence with the subject matter.