Member Spotlight: Druid Hills Child Development Center
Druid Hills Child Development Center (DHCDC) is a non-profit childcare center nestled in the heart of Midtown Atlanta on Ponce de Leon across from the Majestic Diner. They have been serving families for nearly 50 years!
We interviewed DHCDC Program Coordinator Whitney Farley to learn more about their incredible program and why they include hands-on food education in their curriculum.
SB: Tell us about yourself!
WF: My name is Whitney Farley and I am the Preschool/Pre-K/School Age Program Coordinator at Druid Hills Child Development Center. At DHCDC, I work with our educators and families to create positive and nurturing learning environments for the children within our programs. We work to inspire future artists, scientists, doctors, teachers, and most importantly, a love of learning.
SB: Why did DHCDC join Small Bites Adventure Club?
WF: When we learned of what all Small Bites Adventure Club had to offer, we jumped at the opportunity to utilize this program! DHCDC is committed to providing high-quality, nutritional meals daily. Our menu is full of variety to encourage children to try new things and all of our meals are prepared in-house. We often look to utilize the freshest ingredients from local vendors as well.
What drew our attention to the Taste Test Box kits was the local and fresh ingredients, teaching guides, and fun take-home recipe cards to involve families. Small Bites Adventure Club has helped to broaden our resources for locally grown produce and also led to an expansion of our health and nutrition activities for children.
SB: What impact has Small Bites Adventure Club had on your students and teachers?
WF: Since we began our partnership with Small Bites in March of 2021, our teachers have really enjoyed the nutritional options. The ingredients are fresh, easy to handle, and unique which makes the taste test kits easy, educational, and fun! As I see the teachers engage with the children as they explore the taste test kits, I can say that the implementation of this program has been a success.
SB: Storytime! Tell us about a time that Small Bites changed the way a child (or even grown-up) experienced a new food.
WF: I remember we were preparing the Taste Test Box kit featuring the black bean dip. There was a child that strongly stated that he would NOT taste or try the dip because he HATED beans. As we discussed the ingredients, he continued to say that he hated beans and would not try the dip. We proceeded to follow the recipe steps included in the teaching guide and when it came to picking the cilantro off of the leaves and squeezing the lemon, he jumped up to volunteer!
Once the dip was complete, he was first in line to try it! This was a total surprise to his friends and I. Through this one particular experience I learned that it is important to allow children to be a part of the process. You may be surprised at the outcome!
SB: What was a food that you didn’t like as a child, but you LOVE now?
WF: Definitely brussels sprouts! I could not stand the look or smell of them. Now, I love them. I have learned how to prepare them in multiple ways and now they have become a staple in my weekly meals.
SB: Thank you Whitney and DHCDC for helping children try and love new foods through hands-on exploring and cooking!
Learn more about Druid Hills Child Delelopment Center at their website here or visit their Instagram profile @dhcdcfun.