Fit4Kids’ Learning Gardens receive boost from Anthem foundation
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Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, a regional non-profit dedicated to improving children’s health and wellness through physical activity and healthy eating, has received a $75,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation.
The grant from the foundation's Food as Medicine initiative will fund Fit4Kids’ school-based Learning Gardens program, which seeks to empower children to make healthier choices and foster a sustainable food culture through a combination of garden tastings, cooking classes, seedling distribution, and surplus produce redistribution.
Prior to participating in Fit4Kids Learning Gardens, many students report never having tasted vegetables such as squash, cauliflower, or snap peas. While participating in the program, students are exposed to new produce types and to cooking classes that encourage experimentation; meal kits for students' caregivers are also sent home after each class. To address food waste and insecurity, Fit4Kids collects excess vegetables from local farms that would otherwise go to waste and distributes them to families in the programs.
Fit4Kids is on-site this school year at 24 school gardens across Chesterfield, Henrico, Hopewell, and Richmond. For details, visit grfit4kids.org.
