ΜΠΑΡΜΠΑ ΣΤΑΘΗΣ

According to the National Dietary Guide, nutrition during childhood and adolescence has significant effects on health, which manifest in adult life. A balanced diet during this period lays the foundation for the prevention of chronic diseases in adulthood, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and osteoporosis. During childhood, dietary habits and overall lifestyle and behavior are formed and established, which is why the new generation is particularly susceptible to various influences and often becomes disoriented.

For this reason, BARBA STATHIS took the initiative to conduct research in collaboration with Prolepsis Institute, mapping the dietary habits of preschool and school-aged children in the country, with a focus on socioeconomically vulnerable areas.

Based on the above data, the company continues to actively implement the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," with the primary goal of promoting balanced dietary patterns among the new generation. Additionally, it is worth noting that through this educational program, BARBA STATHIS opens a discussion about food waste with the children, raising their awareness about this crucial and timely issue.

The Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," is aimed at students from kindergartens and primary schools in Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas of Central Macedonia. The program started in October 2022, and within two school years of implementation, it welcomed 2,340 students aged 5-12 years from the regions of Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Pella, Pieria, Imathia, Serres, and Kilkis. The students were accompanied by more than 245 teachers, parents, or guardians. It is noteworthy that for the first time, such a multifaceted educational program is being offered to students in schools in Northern Greece, specifically in the Central Macedonia Region, giving them the unique opportunity to explore the colorful world of vegetables through an interesting tour of the BARBA STATHIS vegetable production facility.

The Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," was inaugurated in October 2022 and continued until April 2023.

Through the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," the company opened the gates of its production facility in Sindos and welcomed young visitors from schools in Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas of Central Macedonia. Children of school and preschool age participate in a rich 2-hour educational program that combines learning with play, focusing on spreading the nutritional value of vegetables, as well as the critical issue of food waste.

In more detail, the program flow includes welcoming the students to a specially designed area, safely guiding them through the largest frozen vegetable production facility in Greece, and taking them on a tour of the BARBA STATHIS museum space, also known as "The Freshness Road." Here, the children participate in group activities, experiential knowledge games, and sensory activities, aimed at familiarizing them with the colorful world of vegetables. The visit ends with a tasting session, giving the children the chance to create their own recipes based on BARBA STATHIS vegetables and learn how to make proper nutritional combinations for better absorption of nutrients. At the end of each visit, the children have time for creative crafts, and just before they leave, they receive souvenir gifts, both for themselves and their families. It is worth noting that the souvenir gifts always include a satisfaction form, allowing both young and old participants to evaluate their experience.

Simultaneously, it is emphasized that the educational program has been designed by a team of specialized educators who took into account the specific learning needs of each age group, creating a flexible program that is appropriately adjusted to capture the interest of its participants. Additionally, the specially designed "Freshness Road" area is used for the program, hosting multiple activities such as team games, crafts, knowledge games, and observation games, as well as the screening of educational videos.

In conclusion, the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," is specifically designed to stimulate all the senses for learning, as it includes special sensory activities such as games where children use touch and smell to identify vegetables. At the same time, it combines physical and mental exercise through relay games, as well as knowledge or observation games.

For the design and implementation of the educational activities, BARBA STATHIS collaborates with specialized educators and facilitators to ensure the best educational practices.

The Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," employs 6 individuals annually, including both company employees and external collaborators, who are specially trained for the program’s needs.

The Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," takes place at the central facilities of BARBA STATHIS’ frozen vegetable production unit in the Sindos Industrial Area (B.I.P.E.TH.), giving students from all over Central Macedonia the chance to participate in a unique experiential experience. Specifically, for the program’s needs, the specially designed "Freshness Road" area is used, hosting interactive educational material related to the production process, the cultivation stages, and food waste.

Through the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," BARBA STATHIS had the opportunity to demonstrate its dedication to consumers by contributing to the promotion of balanced nutrition for children. In this way, the leading vegetable company lays the foundations for building balanced eating habits in the new generation, while simultaneously opening the discussion about the critical issue of food waste.

Around 2,340 students aged 5-12 years from all areas of Central Macedonia, who visited the production facility and the "Freshness Road" space, accompanied by 245 teachers, parents, or guardians, had the opportunity to learn valuable information about the agricultural production stages, the nutritional value of vegetables, and food waste. Specifically, through their participation in the program, the children were informed about the best food combinations that contribute to the proper functioning of the body, as well as the correct combinations for optimal absorption of nutrients.

Through the group activities of the program, the children had the opportunity to develop their communication skills and simultaneously enhance their creativity through experiential games and crafts. Additionally, the educational games aimed at informing the children about the stages of vegetable cultivation helped bridge the gap between urban everyday life and rural living. Finally, through the in-depth discussion about food waste, the program raised awareness among participants about a critical issue, opening the discussion about everyday practices that children, together with their families, can implement to reduce household food waste.

he program was evaluated by visitors with 100% success through a special satisfaction form. This result confirms the care with which the program was designed, as well as the attention, responsibility, and enthusiasm shown by all parties involved, with the goal of ensuring that the young visitors participate in a unique educational experience. All participants—students, teachers, and parents—embraced the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," spreading its reputation quickly throughout the country, and immediately depleting availability. The enthusiasm and high acceptance from participants led to media coverage, as confirmed by the related report on ANTT1 TV, which was specifically dedicated to the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," by BARBA STATHIS.

Through the Kids' Educational Program, "Take a Step Towards Healthy Eating," BARBA STATHIS has the opportunity to highlight its dedication to new generations, contributing to the promotion of balanced nutrition, while also laying the foundations for building balanced eating habits in the new generation.

In the two school years so far, nearly 2,340 students aged 5-12 years from all areas of Central Macedonia had the chance to learn useful information about the agricultural production stages, the nutritional value of vegetables, and food waste.

Through the group activities of the program, the children had the opportunity to develop their communication skills and simultaneously enhance their creativity through experiential games and crafts.