Feed Your Brain

For Eden Prairie 3rd graders, MCA tests are their first exposure to standardized tests, which can be stressful. Our teachers do a great job of helping students learn what they need to know throughout the year. But once testing days arrive, it’s up to the students to show what they have learned. At this point, all parents and teachers can do is provide the best test-taking environment possible so the children can concentrate and stay focused.

EPCGT began the Feed Your Brain project in 2003. The project offers a healthy snack to all 3rd graders at all four Eden Prairie elementary schools to help kids do their best on MCA testing days. The primary goal is to provide one of the key components of an optimal test-taking environment because empty stomachs or sugar-filled breakfasts can take a toll on the brain’s thinking power. A secondary goal is to educate children about the importance of eating a nutritious breakfast every morning. By helping students to realize, first-hand, how much better they can concentrate and recall information when their stomachs are full, we hope to encourage them to repeat the pattern every morning by starting the day with a nutritious breakfast.

This community-wide project was conceived, organized and co-sponsored by EPCGT from 2003-2005 with supplementary funding and volunteers coming from a variety of sources, including the elementary school PTOs, Eden Prairie’s Noon Rotary Club, Super Valu, Johnny’s Home Delivery Service, Eagle Mobil gas station on Valley View Road, Deli Express, Cub Foods and Walgreens. Volunteers help sort food, distribute it to classrooms at each school, and serve the students.

Now that the program is off the ground and running well, each school PTO will be taking more responsibility for funding the program and coordinating in-school volunteers. EPCGT will continue to oversee the coordination of buying food at lowest prices possible so businesses are approached only once rather than from each of the four elementary schools.