Let’s Move Pittsburgh, the Michelle Obama-inspired public health organization focusing on children’s health and fitness, is marking its fifth anniversary with a new speaker series.

The 5-2-1-0 Speaker Series kicks off the new year from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, when dietitian Judy Dodd and Cafe Phipps chef Amy Reed will speak on “5-2-1-0 in Your Kitchen,” a conversation moderated by dietitian Samantha Montgomery. They’ll talk about how to boost your family’s fruit and vegetable intake with kid-friendly meals, what children can do in the kitchen based on their ages, and how to keep kids safe in the kitchen. Children ages 2-8 can attend a health education program while parents attend the lecture.

“5-2-1-0” is a slogan reminding children that they should try to enjoy five or more servings of fruits and vegetables, a maximum of two hours of recreational screen time, at least one hour of physical activity, and zero sugary drinks each day.

Three “Champion Schools” that have won grants for programs focusing on children’s health and fitness will present posters that attendees can peruse during Thursday’s program, and there will be refreshments and time for networking. The children’s program is titled “E Is for Energy,” and children will learn about healthy food and exercise through activities and a food demo, plus they’ll discuss energy from an environmental and sustainability perspective.

Let’s Move Pittsburgh director Mary Kathryn Poole said the organization in its first five years has “had the goal of delivering a consistent message about health across different places where kids spend their time.” The first and most obvious choice was the school environment because kids spend so much time at school. One of the biggest areas of success, she said, has been the Champion Schools program, which has touched more than 20,000 students through $100,000 in grants awarded to local schools for programs such as physical fitness activities, healthy cooking classes and school gardens. Last year, Champion Schools started having meet-ups where educators could show off their programs to other educators and swap ideas, and Ms. Poole intends to carry this new program into 2017.

Another new program in the past year has carried the 5-2-1-0 message to local organizations, including early childhood centers, elementary schools and pediatric clinics. When the pilot program ends in June and a program evaluation is complete, Let’s Move Pittsburgh will look for more community partners to help expand the program.

The organization holds a symposium every two years; the next is scheduled for November. But Ms. Poole said attendees have expressed an interest in programs in a less formal setting where parents can network with health professionals — hence the 5-2-1-0 Speaker Series. Health care providers, teachers, parents and caregivers are all encouraged to attend. The program is planned for about 40 attendees so that the setting remains intimate. University of Pittsburgh dietetic graduate students will do healthy cooking demonstrations, and a health coach from UPMC will be on hand to answer questions.

Admission is free, but reservations are required. To register, go to letsmovepittsburgh.org, click on Exhibits and Events and then on 5-2-1-0 Speaker Series and follow the signup link.

Future Speaker Series programs are scheduled for March 9, “The Building Blocks of a Healthy Life”; May 11, “Screen Time: The Good and the Bad”; July 13, “Make Playtime Count”; and Sept. 14, “Decoding Online Resources.”

Classes and conferences

Gut Health: Learn about gut health and tips on restoring the digestive system, plus try samples of fermented food and drinks. 2 p.m. Saturday at East End Food Co-op, North Point Breeze. Free, but register ahead: 412-242-3598.

Moos and Brews Pairing Class: Join Wheel and Wedge and Insurrection AleWorks to learn how to pair cheeses and beers. 6:30 p.m. Monday at Insurrection AleWorks, Heidelberg. $25. eventbrite.com (search on “Moos and Brews”).

Farming for the Future Conference: Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture presents its annual conference for farmers, homesteaders, educators, agriculture industry professionals and others. Sessions focus on topics such as soil health, strawberries, grazing, organic grains, data-driven farming and more, plus a track designed specifically for children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Extra activities include yoga sessions, a seed swap, knitting circles, a movie screening and more. Feb. 1-4, at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College. Pre-registration closes Jan. 24. pasafarming.org/​conference.

Contest

Souper Bowl: McGinnis Sisters is accepting entries for the “Souper Bowl” soup contest held annually on Super Bowl Sunday. Submit your recipe by Jan. 27 to karen.novak@mcginnis-sisters.com. Ten finalists will be chosen to bring their soups to McGinnis Sisters Monroeville at noon Feb. 5. A panel of judges will select a winner, who will get a soup pot trophy and a $50 store gift card.

Rebecca Sodergren: pgfoodevents@hotmail.com or on Twitter @pgfoodevents.

First Published: January 11, 2017, 5:00 a.m.