The first thing Srbuhi and her daughter, Milena, talk about on their way home from Hnaberd community kindergarten is always the same: “How did you like today’s lunch?” Srbuhi asks. Milena’s answer rarely changes: “I loved today’s omelet with peas! Will you make it for me this weekend?” Srbuhi smiles and says, “The pea omelet became a favorite for us two years ago when the kindergarten menu changed, and Milena started asking me to make it at home.”
The omelet with peas, oats, zapekanka - a Russian-style cheesecake with cauliflower-and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables have become staples at Hnaberd kindergarten in Aragatsotn province. These healthy additions came about in 2021 when FAR expanded its Child Health and Nutrition project to five kindergartens in Aragatsotn, including Hnaberd.
Principal Julik Nikoghosyan explains that, along with the improved menu, the staff-including the kindergarten nurse-have received extensive training in food safety. “We’ve replaced sweets like waffles, jams, cookies, and even condensed milk with fresh fruits, and we serve compotes made from dried or natural fruits instead. Today, for instance, the children had buckwheat in the morning and chicken soup with pumpkin for lunch. Here, they receive about 70 percent of their daily nutrition. A healthy lifestyle is built on good food and physical activity, and if you start these habits early, they last a lifetime. We want to build a culture of healthy living that children will carry with them.”
Since Milena started at the kindergarten, Srbuhi has noticed wonderful changes in her daughter. She’s more energetic, more social, and even more curious about healthy foods. “She never drank milk before, but now she does-though it’s a bit harder to get her to drink it at home!” laughs Srbuhi. “Seeing her enjoy these foods has inspired me to add more fruits and vegetables into our meals, too. I’ve seen how it boosts her energy.”
Donate to FAR today and help more children like Milena to grow healthy!
The Hnaberd Kindergarten's nutritional project for preschool children is generously funded through the support of the John Mirak Foundation.
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