Building Stronger, Healthier, and Active Communities

Dec19

The dismissal bell marks the end of a regular school day and the beginning of after school activities.  At Hillcrest Elementary, students enrolled in LEAD—an afterschool program offering diverse classes such as ballet folkórico, gardening, and chess—flood into different areas of the colorful school. Around 3:45 P.M., 18 first graders eagerly enter the classroom designated for the CHOICES Healthy Eating Active Time (HEAT) Club lead by Amy Tejada, the Food Bank’s newest bilingual nutrition educator.

Over the course of 14 weeks, members of the HEAT Club will learn about the MyPlate food groups, how to classify foods into appropriate food groups, the benefits of each food group, and how to make physical activity goals. The club is part of our CHOICES nutrition education program that helps encourage SNAP eligible and low-income clients to make smart choices at mealtime and lead active lifestyles.

A review conducted by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition shows that individuals who are more prosperous are more likely to follow healthier diets that are high in “whole grains, lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products, and fresh vegetables and fruit” while the “consumption of refined grains and added fats” is associated with individuals who have a lower income.

Nutrition knowledge helps determine food choice, and our nutrition education team strives to provide clients with information to help them make conscience choices.

The nutrition classes are making a difference in the lives of students, and Amy’s background helps her connect with her students on a personal level. As a former recipient of SNAP benefits and having grown up in a low-income neighborhood, Amy’s students often feel comfortable reaching out to her after class.

One moment in particular stands out to Amy the most. After one of her nutrition classes, she ran into Esai in the front office on her way out. He told her he loved learning about food and trying the different healthy recipes they taste in class. Amy encouraged him to share the recipes with his parents and recreate them at home. He enthusiastically replied “okay!”

Moments later, Esai’s mother arrived and Amy heard him share what he had learned and asked if they could make some of the recipes at home.

At the end of the day, Amy goes home smiling knowing that she and the nutrition education team are helping build stronger, healthier, and more active communities.

Source: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/87/5/1107.full#ref-127