Heather Berkoben supports school districts by providing expertise, resources and strategies to build healthier school communities including building a culture of wellness, improving the cafeteria environment, encouraging students to choose and consume nutritious, locally sourced foods, and including nutrition education in the classroom. Her goal—to help educators teach and empower students to have the knowledge and support to choose healthier food options and build lifelong healthy eating habits.

A skilled health educator, Heather is passionate about wellness and disease prevention. She utilizes expertise on school wellness policies to support collaborative efforts and partnerships such as her support and participation in the Smarter Smarter Lunchrooms Movement of California. Partnering with school administrators, educators, food service professionals and community educators, she works tirelessly to enhance school wellness and provide key gatekeepers with relevant, science-based nutrition resources to increase education opportunities for children and families to learn how to eat healthfully, an essential life skill that supports lifelong health.

Heather earned a B.S. in Health Education from California State University, Chico. She enjoys being active and sharing healthy meals that include a diverse range of foods with her son and family.

Heather can be contacted at [email protected].

The school cafeteria is an excellent opportunity to invite students to apply nutrition education strategies they learn in the classroom, and the ideal locale to encourage them to make healthier food choices and try new foods.