Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, in
partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has
received a $15,000 grant to support its out-of-school time healthy food access
and nutritional literacy programs. The gift is part of a $2.3 million grant NRPA
received from the Walmart Foundation to support out-of-school time programs in
75 park and recreation agencies. The purpose of the grant is to:
Increase the number of healthy meals children in low-income communities receive through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) during out-of-school times;
Provide evidence-based, age-appropriate nutrition literacy to children that create behavior change by teaching the importance of healthy eating;
Implement nutrition and physical activity standards that increase access to healthier foods and increase opportunities for physical activity; and
Promote meal and program efficiencies that will reduce costs, maximize existing resources, decrease food waste, and lead to more sustainable meal programs.
The grant will help Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation
Department provide access to healthy foods and improve opportunities for
physical activity. The Department 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 Palm
Beach County’s youth.
This grant supports NRPA’s
campaign—Commit to Health—which encourages the implementation and evaluation of
Healthy Eating, Physical Activity (HEPA) standards in park and recreation sites
across the country. NRPA’s goal is to have at least 2,000 participating sites in
five years. Within the first year of the program, 486 sites have pledged to
Commit to Health and 51,382 children now have improved access to healthy foods
and increased opportunities for physical activity.
According to Share our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign, one
in five children in America struggles with hunger. Over 21 million low-income
children receive free or reduced meals during the school year to help them meet
their daily nutrition needs, but only 3 million of these children are getting
these meals during the summer. During summer months, these children may not
have access to quality and healthy food to help them grow—making Palm Beach
County Parks and Recreation Department’s work during out-of-school times that
much more critical.
“One of the core services of this department is to facilitate
health and wellness opportunities for our residents and we recognize the
benefits of healthy eating and physical activity," said Eric Call, Director of
the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department. “I’m very appreciative
of NRPA and the Walmart Foundation for the grant funding and the opportunity for
staff to teach Out of School Program participants the virtues of nutrition and
healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.”
“Thanks to a successful first year with Commit to Health and
the Walmart Foundation, 51,382 children now have improved access to healthy
foods and physical activity,” said Barbara Tulipane, President and CEO of NPRA.
“Parks and recreation are proving their critical role in the health of their
communities and we can’t wait to see the impact this year’s grants will have on
fostering life-long healthy habits in children across the country.”
About Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation
Department
Palm Beach County's award-winning park system offers the
widest possible range of leisure opportunities. More than 80 regional, district,
community, beach, and neighborhood parks, spanning several thousand acres, are
available to explore. Sports, fitness, environmental, and cultural opportunities
abound, as well as restful places for solitude. Low-cost, often free, Palm Beach
County's park system offers an affordable getaway! For more information, visit
www.pbcparks.com. Connect with pbcParks on
Facebook and Twitter.
About National Recreation and Park
Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a
national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and
conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its
network of more than 47,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA
encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, conservation initiatives and
equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access
to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.