Collaboration Leads to Healthy Head Start

HENDERSONVILLE, NC (March 26, 2007) – The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) and Western Carolina Community Action (WCCA) are holding an event on March 29 at 5:30pm to kick off a new project that will serve Head Start children, instructors, and families in Henderson County. Through a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the project will address children’s health issues through educational farm field trips, establishing a school garden, helping the center source local food for meals, and demonstrating healthy cooking. The project is a part of ASAP’s Growing Minds program.

According to the American Obesity Association, 15.3 percent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese. That figure is more than double the amount of twenty years ago. “In order to address this epidemic, positive and healthy alternatives must be made available to kids. In addition, families and communities must be engaged and involved,” said Emily Jackson, director of the Growing Minds program. “This project is designed to increase the desire and motivation for healthy food while providing hands-on learning experiences for children, parents, and instructors. “

Thursday’s kickoff will include activities for children, parents and Head Start staff. Children will have an opportunity to plant seeds and plants into a new garden located at the main Head Start site. Each child will go home with a plant for their own home garden. There will also be a healthy cooking demonstration for the children and their families.

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