DJJ Health and Nutrition: Kale Smoothies at the Elbert Shaw RYDC

Did you know that at the Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Nutrition & Food Services and Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center (Elbert Shaw RYDC), are on the cutting edge in growing one of the newly defined health superfoods? Known as one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, this superfood is loaded with powerful antioxidants and Vitamin C that can help lower your cholesterol, fight cancers, and even help you lose weight.

While you might think that this story would suggest that DJJ is a leader in agrobiology, the truth and the superfood is more straightforward.  As part of a learning program and the facility's raised bed garden, the Elbert Shaw RYDC in Dalton is growing kale.  Besides from being beneficial to the diet of our youth, the planting of kale is also teaching youth at Elbert Shaw valuable agricultural skills in a safe and exciting setting.

However, growing the kale is not the only exciting aspect of the Elbert Shaw RYDC program. Recently, Elbert Shaw Food Service Director Stephanie Morrison experimented with making smoothies using the kale, frozen strawberries, yogurt, and ice. Having helped with growing the main ingredient, the students at Elbert Shaw enjoyed the taste of the healthy snack drink. Director Morrison even gave the students the raw kale, which, to her surprise, the students enjoyed as much as the smoothies themselves. 

Kudos to the Elbert Shaw RYDC food team for kale and teaching Georgia's youth about nutrition, one healthy snack at a time!