UNDERSTANDING OUR BODIES

 

VEGGIE PATCH PLAY GROUNDS:

Initiative One

 

Classroom Based Workshops focused on:

                      Anatomy

                      Physiology

 

Step one: By teaching the children about the skeletal and digestive systems, they will gain proper respect for each organ's function & nourishment.

 

Long Step Action:  Through the practical use of this knowledge encourage the children to make better choices about what food to allow in the body.

 

Initiative Two:

 

It is a well known fact that African-American communities have been deprived of grocery stores that provide wholesome nutritious organic produce.  The VillageFeat Veggie Patch Playground program first initiative is to let the children know that there are better food choices available by taking them to Whole Foods as their first food journey.

 

The strategy is to introduce them to holistic nutrition by teaching them how to shop.  First step is to explain the importance of color as an indicator of vitamin & mineral content.  We will also discuss how vitamins and minerals nourish their internal organs.  The second step will be to encourage the children to choose a fruit or vegetable that they have never eaten to be purchased.

 

Long Term Action Step:  Have the children introduce these new food items into their family's menus.

 

THE VILLAGE FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Veggie Patch Playground:  8 Week Program

 

One of the primary programs at the VillageFeat:

 

Our Goal at the Veggie Patch Playground is to TEACH:

a new generation of children and families health affirming skills that have been lost due to our modern technological lifestyle that doesn't encourage good nutrition or beneficial exercise, which was at one point an intrinsic part of the life styles of past generations.  A recent study of the African-American youth of Boston determined that "one out of two" are obese due to these lifestyle limitations.

 

This Goal Will Be Accomplished During By Working With the Following Populations From the Roxbury & Dorchester neighborhoods:

 

AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN- 6 to 12 years of age

THEIR IMMEDIATE & EXTENDED FAMILIES