Sharon Scharf’s home economics class traveled to a local Save Mart store to learn about food nutrition and safety, Sept. 23. The tour began at 8 a.m. and covered 200 fast facts. The students returned at the end of third period.
Nutrition specialist Erin Tassie started the tour in the fruit and vegetable section, then went further to explain other sections of the grocery store.
“With over 200 stores and 35,000 products, we try to emphasize nutrition, especially with the change in economy.” Tassie said. “Concerns with health and food increase more and more [each year].”
A nutritionist herself, Scharf says Tassie included all the most significant sections of the store on the tour.
“I think she did a good job at covering all the information expected,” Scharf said. “The students also learned a lot that they didn’t think they would learn.”
Though the prospect of a visit to the supermarket may seem dull to students, Victoria Hindes, ’12, says she learned a lot from the behind-the-scenes look.
“I’ve been to other Save Mart [stores], but this time we got to go in the back,” Hindes said. “[The trip] just gave me a better understanding of how the store works.”
The tour incorporated details which both amused and disappointed the students.
“I really liked watching the lady make the rose on the cake in the back of the bakery,” Hindes said. “I did not like it when we went into the cold storages, but we pretty much got to see what the regular customers don’t.”
For Tassie, knowing the nutritional qualities of many foods allows her to confidently enjoy them.
“I love food, whether eating or cooking,” Tassie said. “I like to know and provide health and nutrition information, and along with this, we give out recipe magazines for customers and even hold events.”
For eighth grader Jessica Scout, the trip seemed a bit uncomfortable but enjoyable.
“I thought it was interesting how they cut their meat: the system of cutting and packing was really unexpected,” Scout said. “I thought the trip was a bit weird, but since my mom went with us, I felt a bit more comfortable.”
For more information about home ec. activites, visit the Sept. 21 article, Home ec. to consult Save Mart dietician.
