On a recent morning, a group of middle schoolers at Liberty Middle School delivered a lesson on nutrition not through a worksheet or a lecture, but through a hook.
“Don’t skip meals. Don’t skip meals. You’ll get cranky…”
The song, written and performed by students in Mrs. Abplanalp & Mrs. Davis’ class at Liberty Middle School, is part of The STEAM Fund’s Real Food Songwriting Program — an arts-based initiative that invites students to write original music about nutrition, wellness, and making healthier food choices. The program has just wrapped up its latest run, and now the songs are reaching a wider audience, with a new student-created music video released every Monday.
“The Real Food Songwriting Program is just one of the vehicles we use to deliver our mission,” said Gary Siegel, co-founder of The STEAM Fund, speaking alongside his wife and partner Judy Siegel via Zoom. “Our actual mission is to support musicians, artists, and the venues where they share their gift.”
Using Music to Teach Real-World Skills
At its core, the program blends songwriting fundamentals — rhyme, rhythm, and collaboration — with lessons about real food versus processed food.
“It’s a songwriting program where we incorporate music to present the concepts of real food versus processed food,” Gary said. “And then help the students that are participating make good, healthy choices.” The idea grew out of an earlier collaboration with the organization A Single Bite, which resulted in a song called Real Food Rules.
In early versions of the program, students worked together to write new verses to that song. Teaching artists guided brainstorming sessions, helping students turn nutrition concepts into lyrics that rhyme and fit a melody. The current version takes things a step further.
“The new program that we’re doing now is sort of a hybrid,” he said. “The kids write their own original song about a topic that has to do with real food versus processed food and making good, healthy choices.”
From Lennon Tributes to Local Classrooms
For the Siegels, the move into arts education was sparked by a moment far from Sullivan County. “We were at a John Lennon tribute in New York City,” Gary recalled. “The executive artistic director got on stage and announced they were bringing the John Lennon Real Love Project into public schools.” Gary turned to Judy and said, “That’s it.”
“That was back in 2019,” Judy said. “We should bring arts and education programs into schools, and that’s really how it started.”
Gary’s background as a music educator made the connection feel natural.
The Real Food Songwriting Program also responds to local needs.
“Food insecurity is obviously a big issue in Sullivan County,” Judy said. “So it was important to us to help facilitate a better way to make choices.”
Learning Beyond the Classroom
The entire process — presentation, writing, rehearsal, and recording — happens quickly. The impact, Gary says, is already extending beyond music class.
“They’re actually using these assets on the morning announcements,” Gary said. “To promote the concepts of real food versus processed food and making good, healthy choices.”
The schools also receive video and audio materials they can continue using, helping reinforce the lessons long after the recording session ends.
“It’s really part of prevention and education,” Gary said. “To make good, healthy choices.”
Just as important, he added, is what students learn about their own voices.
“It teaches these kids at a young age that they can use music as a tool for all sorts of things,” he said. “We sent a message out because we wrote a song.”
Image: Students at Sullivan West Elementary School at a Real Food Songwriting session. (STEAM Fund)
Note: The STEAM Fund is a financial supporter of Radio Catskill.