Since 2016, the UC Santa Barbara Health and Wellness Committee has organized programs and events to educate students about nutrition and cooking. In addition to focusing on culinary education, the organization works with local organizations such as the Associated Student (AS) Food Bank to provide free meals and produce to students. In an effort to provide easily accessible prepared meals to students on campus, Health & Wellness runs multiple programs such as Wednesday Wellness Soup, Wellness Rice and Beans, Monday Morning Oats, and International Tea Time. doing. While these programs typically start as pilot programs and Monday Morning Oats are no longer in place, Wellness Rice and Beans is expanding this quarter to include more pre-made bowls beyond what was previously available. This increases the availability of this resource. To the students. The program aims to provide students with take-home meals that are more substantial than snacks, as well as provide information on recipes that could be implemented using the rice and beans often provided at AS Food Banks. also educate students. Wellness Soup Wednesday is a partnership between Health & Wellness and Organic Soup Company. International Tea Time is designed to help international students connect through a relaxing ritual.
Anya Yu Swanson (left) and Adrianna (right) enjoy warm oatmeal at SRB. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
With a variety of toppings available, students can customize their oatmeal to their liking. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
Health & Wellness Health Education Generalist Mallory Russell says the Health & Wellness Program has ambitious goals for the future. A big dream for the program is to establish a permanent space for the kitchen where culinary education programs can be held on an ongoing basis. Health & Wellness also hopes to involve other groups in this potential cooking space, allowing organizations to host classes and workshops.
Lily Poehler presents beautiful oats topped with raisins and nuts. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
Two students enjoy an international tea hosted by Health and Wellness. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
Another goal of the Health and Wellness Nutrition Program is to provide more encouraging conversations about cultural foods. Whether it’s the availability of ingredients, lack of cultural food representation in dining halls, or encouraging students to try new recipes and cuisines, health and wellness is a more culturally rich and diverse experience at UCSB. We want to promote eating. By gathering information about what cultural foods students want, Health & Wellness can host educational workshops and provide resources for finding multicultural pantry essentials. Masu.
*See article exploring the landscapes of Asia*
The rice and beans program will expand through the spring to provide more prepackaged bowls even with longer work hours. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
Abigail Escobar (left) and Maudine Matos (right) pose with rice bowls. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
The helper is assembling a Brazilian feijoada bowl with rice and beans. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
Students gather to receive a free bowl of cooked rice and beans from the UCSB Health and Wellness Nutrition Program. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
Students were able to choose from two types of rice bowls and bean bowls and add customizable toppings. (Daily Nexus/Nina Timofeeva)
