UI Extension helps Chobani feed, educate youth in city parks

Twin Falls City Park had a carnival atmosphere on June 5 to kick off the 2026 Chobani Summer Program.

The 12-week program is designed to fill the gaps in summer food programs offered by local school districts, which sometimes don’t provide food to cover weekends and typically require that food be eaten on site, due to federal funding specifications.

Music played and a train rolled along the park’s edge, hauling shrieking children. Families waited in line to play games, complete activities or claim free cases of Chobani yogurt, soccer balls and food bags — each filled with two nutritious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, fresh fruit and a recipe card. University of Idaho Extension was among the original partners when Chobani launched the program in 2025 with the goal of combatting food insecurity in the Magic Valley and educating families about healthy lifestyle and nutrition choices. The company expects more than 100 community businesses and organizations to donate or volunteer in support of the program this summer.

At the Extension table, staffed by representatives from the statewide nutrition education program Eat Smart Idaho and UI Extension 4-H Youth Development, children planted cilantro seeds in cups of soil and tasted honey made by four different bee species.

“We are part of the community, so we’re here providing hands-on educational activities,” said Extension educator Siew Guan Lee, Twin Falls County. “Today we are highlighting seed planting and talking about where food comes from, and during the next few weeks we will have healthy food to sample. The idea is to really encourage children and adults to try new and healthy foods to encourage healthy habits.”

In addition to the meal bags, Chobani will give away 260 cases of yogurt in Twin Falls each Friday throughout the summer. The program will also supply food bags and yogurt for weekly distribution in Fort Hall, Jerome, Filer, Shoshone and at area Boys and Girls Clubs. Partner organizations, such as UI Extension, have helped Chobani expand the program’s reach and provide more STEM activities and health-related educational games.

“U of I always does a great job,” said Cooper Smith, community impact manager with Chobani. “They bring knowledge and wisdom and a unique perspective on how to teach children. It’s always engaging and interactive.”

Smith said about 4,800 Magic Valley children are food insecure, and 40% of the region’s families live from paycheck to paycheck.

“With this program providing over 200,000 pounds of food, we can safely say we’re addressing one-third of the food insecure children in the Magic Valley,” Smith said.

Extension will staff booths at a Jerome park, 300 Main St., for four Thursdays and in Twin Falls City Park, 400 Shoshone St. E., for 10 Fridays.