(NewMediaWire) - September 22, 2022 - DALLAS —Local schools and community organizations are invited to apply for $2,500 grants from the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, to start a new Teaching Garden® or enhance an existing garden to meet the evolving needs of families and communities. The Association’s Teaching Gardens® program inspires kids to adopt healthy behaviors early in life. Schools and community gardens pair an active experience with an interactive nutrition curriculum to help kids make healthy food choices and build lifelong habits.
Access to healthy foods directly impacts a person’s health over their lifetime, but according to the American Heart Association, most [1]children are not eating recommended amounts of fruits or vegetables, consuming less than one serving of each per day. For many children, the only sources of food in their neighborhood are either from school meals, fast food locations or prepackaged items from convenience stores.
The American Heart Association launched its Teaching Gardens Network more than 10 years ago to inspire innovation and incubate new strategies for improving access to healthy food in underserved communities nationwide.
Applications will be accepted Sept. 19 to Oct. 29 at www.heart.org/teachinggardens. Recipients will be announced in January 2023.
“Teaching Gardens are real-life laboratories for students to learn how fruits and vegetables contribute to a balanced diet and overall health, while providing nutritious options for families in underserved communities,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention.
Teaching Garden grants are made possible with financial support from CAULIPOWER, makers of gluten-free, ready-to-use cauliflower-based food items. To date, the grants have created hands-on opportunities for more than 4,000 students nationwide to learn and experience the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Lifelong healthy eating habits are created during childhood,” said long-time American Heart Association volunteer, CAULIPOWER Founder Gail Becker. “CAULIPOWER is honored to provide ongoing support of this program as a way to nurture our communities and help them learn about the importance of fresh fruit and vegetables for years to come.”
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173
Libby Ridenhour: 214-706-1235 Libby.Ridenhour@Heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
