By Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region
BAY REGION – The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region has partnered with Michigan Sugar to deliver the “Healthy Habits” program this summer, which encourages nutritional literacy in young people.
Healthy Habits is a national initiative developed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and focuses on helping youths make healthy eating choices. The program consists of progressive, interactive, practical activities that develop a young person’s skill, confidence, and motivation to make healthy choices throughout life.
“This program helps ensure healthy futures for our members,” Lynn Pavlawk, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Great Lakes Bay Region, said. “Furthermore, with support from Michigan Sugar, we have an opportunity to elevate the experience.”
In addition to sponsoring the program, the agricultural cooperative will help deliver hands-on, experiential lessons for Club members during the summer, utilizing outdoor “edible education gardens” in Saginaw, Bay City, and Pinconning. Youths will raise strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and beans, along with other fruits and vegetables, which they will eventually use to make nutritious dishes after harvesting.
“Initiatives like Healthy Habits are near and dear to the hearts of our nearly 900 grower-owners and 2,000 employees,” Tyler Kring, Community Relations Manager for Michigan Sugar, said. “Many of the challenges children in our community face begin with fresh food insecurity and consequently a lack of nutritional knowledge.”
Recently, members at the Bay City Club helped construct four raised beds for their garden under the supervision of experienced woodworker Chon Salinas. After installing the beds, the youths filled them with soil, and their seedlings are already growing strong. At the Saginaw garden, the first strawberries will be ripe in only a few weeks.
Those interested in learning more about the Boys & Girls Clubs should visit boysandgirlsclubsglbr.com or call the main office at 989-321-9648.
