Minnesota State University Reporter

A class at Minnesota State is getting together with a local company to promote nutrition through a collaborative event.

March is National Nutrition month. To get the word out and educate students at MSU about nutrition, family and consumer science classes are promoting an event that will take place Tuesday and Wednesday. The students in these classes are working with Chartwells, a dining service involved in healthy eating and education.

The event consists of two meals -- a lunch at Gage dining center and a dinner at Carkoski dining center. The meals will offer a healthier menu including chicken kabobs, corn, stuffed green peppers and much more, according to Amy Gunderson, a Chartwells dietician working with the project.

"What makes this event unique is that it is a collaborative effort on the part of family and consumer science foods classes and Chartwells," said Margaret Stenzel, who teaches the food service management class at MSU.

As well as learning about healthy eating, students in the collaborating courses will be doing a lot to prepare for and promote this event.

"Students have designed a flyer, poster and table tents for the event," Stenzel said. "[The event] will give students some real-life experience."

It is suitable that the meals be held at the dorms, since so few college students get opportunities to eat healthy, unique foods.

"It will give students a chance to sample foods they haven't tried before," said Amanda Wilson, a student in Stenzel's class.

There will be plenty to learn from attending this event.

"I think it is important to teach college students about Nutrition Month because a lot of students do not think about what they are eating to ensure they are supplied with the proper nutrients," said Tracy Kopp, another student in Stenzel's class.

Since students are the ones who will not only be attending this event, but marketing it as well, the learning experience is two-fold.

Healthy eating is always a good idea, and with the help of some students and faculty at MSU and Chartwells, it will be easy to be informed about it during National Nutritional month by attending this event.

Kim Broback is a Reporter staff writer

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