Nutrition is one of the most important building blocks both for physical and cognitive development. Children living in the Austin Community of Chicago have challenges in obtaining healthy foods, especially in their childhood. There are few fresh food markets and access is difficult due to their locations and costs. Each year at the end of the summer just prior to the opening of school, Representative Danny Davis, and State Senator Camille Lilly in cooperation with Loretto Hospital and many other community organizations, provide a Back to School Community Fair for children in the Austin and neighboring communities.
For the past several years, World Resources Chicago has organized a Fresh Fruit distribution for the children and their families attending the Fair. The fruit includes peaches, plums, apples, bananas, cherries, watermelon, and mangoes. Trader Joes’ has been a strong supporter of this event. Students from the DePaul School of Public Service and Northwestern Global Health Studies and Community Health Corps have helped prepare and distribute the fruit and educate the participants about nutrition.
Most of these children have never eaten a crisp apple, or juicy peach or cherry. It is an important opportunity to provide them with the fresh fruit and also with information about healthy eating, and especially about the benefits of fruit.
This is an exciting opportunity for volunteers who are interested in nutrition and would like to participate. Volunteers will be recruited in July 2019.
