COEUR d'ALENE — Venture Academy and Eat Smart Idaho teamed up throughout the school year to ensure students head into summer with a fresh perspective on eating right.

University of Idaho Extension nutrition professor Shelly Johnson and her team with Eat Smart Idaho partnered with Venture’s staff for three weeks each trimester to teach students skills for building healthy eating habits. Each class would start with nutrition education and finish with applying hands-on cooking concepts. 

Those skills were on display Wednesday during Venture's Exhibit Night.

"I have loved my time there this last school year and feel Eat Smart Idaho programming made an impact on the students," she said. "Venture is a wonderful school."

Working with Venture health teacher Tony Hook and Coeur d'Alene School District Nutrition Services kitchen manager Valerie Martin, Johnson taught students how to make healthy and delicious meals using low-cost ingredients. Students showcased those new skills at Exhibit Night as they shared a variety of healthy recipes, such as vegetarian chili, smoothies and energy bites.

“I learned lifelong skills that I will use forever," said sophomore Shianne Zulas.

Eat Smart Idaho is a U of I Extension program that comprises a team of nutrition-savvy individuals throughout the state who are on a mission to create and promote a healthier Idaho. The team educates adults and families about healthy eating, smart shopping, food safety, quick meal prep, grocery budgets and the importance of physical activity.

“Eat Smart Idaho has made such an important difference for Venture students this last school year,” Principal Teresa Kaiser said.

Graduating senior Isaiah Butts said the program taught him how to properly take care of himself through healthy food and portions.

"When I first started this class, I wasn’t really sure what foods were healthy," he said. "Now I do.”

Graduating senior Shelby Daily said she was thankful for Venture partnering with Eat Smart Idaho and for her time at the school.

“If it wasn’t for Venture Academy, I would have been a year-and-a-half behind," she said. "Today, I’m graduating on time with A’s and B’s with the help of my teachers and peers at Venture. This school will always have a special place in my heart."

    Sophomore Shianne Zulas leads the smoothie and infused water station Wednesday evening along with health teacher Tony Hook during Venture Academy's Exhibit Night.
  

    Senior Isaiah Butts offers a sample of no-bake energy bites to classmate Alex Garvin on Wednesday evening during Venture Academy's Exhibit Night.