The City of Chattanooga’s Department of Youth & Family Development received grants totaling $50,000 that will help increase access to healthy foods and improve opportunities for physical activity. The program's kick off "Eat and Greet" event will be held on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Carver Youth and Family Development Center, 600 North Orchard Knob St.
"Our partnerships with the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, Walmart, National Recreation and Park Association and Food Research and Action Center aid in efforts to promote healthy food alternatives," officials said.
YFD will also receive additional support for meals provided through USDA afterschool and summer feeding programs as well as nutritional literacy materials to help ensure life-long healthy habits for Chattanooga’s youth.
According to Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign, one in five children in America struggles with hunger. During summer months, these children may not have access to quality and healthy food to help them grow—making YFD’s work during out-of-school times that much more critical.
The program starts June 1 at the following YFD Centers: Avondale, Brainerd, Carver, Cromwell, East Chattanooga, Eastdale, East Lake, Glenwood, John A. Patton, North Chattanooga, South Chattanooga, Shepherd, Tyner, East Brainerd and Washington Hills.
For more information contact Kim Battle, Recreation Program coordinator for YFD, at 423-643-6052 or by email at battle_k@Chattanooga.gov, or visit: www.chattanooga.gov/youthandfamily.