CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Park District has received a grant to promote healthy eating and combat food insecurity.
Chicago Park District, in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has received an $80,000 grant to develop a community nutrition hub to expand access to healthy foods through park and recreation programs and services. This is part of a $2.5 million grant NRPA received from the Walmart Foundation to build capacity in park and recreation agencies across the country and serve as intentional community nutrition hubs that improve health outcomes for community members.
The grant will support the Park District’s efforts to increase access to healthy foods, nutrition education and wellness opportunities through established connections with Chicago agencies serving food, including Chicago Public Schools and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
In addition to providing healthy meals, park and recreation professionals will be piloting a number of different healthy food access strategies.
“Park and recreation agencies serve critical roles as community nutrition hubs, connecting vulnerable populations to the health and wellness services they need,” said Kellie May, NRPA vice president of programs and partnerships. “NRPA thanks the Walmart Foundation for its support of local park and recreation professionals who are working every day to increase access to healthy foods and fostering long-lasting healthy habits across the country.”
Related
A Northwestern University study found that in Chicago, one in five children and older adults experience the daily struggle of food insecurity. More specifically, four out of 10 Black and Latino households with children report being food insecure.