I’ve read a couple of things about how to get America’s butt working for a healthier lifestyle, and I happen to read through this new initiative called FoodCorps. The website is fun, creative, and you can really tell what it focuses on as far as advocacy is concerned.
Obesity has been an underlying problem of the world, especially in America where 17% of the “obesity population”are children. It is a horrible trend that we have been dwelling on throughout the years. The fact that this generation of kids is predicted to have a lower life expectancy than their own parents is more than enough reason to blow our minds and wake us up. After the bad news, comes the good news. Today, majority of this generation are becoming more health conscious and are slowly getting into the healthy comfort zone. It’s time to move forward and actually be healthy, and FoodCorps knows how to help us in the process.
The recently launched FoodCorps aims to provide access to good and real food for children, especially those who are living in low-income communities. Carefully studied and organized in the recent years before its launching, FoodCorps may be the answer that we are looking for. They recruit and create young leaders to carry out community tasks such as building and maintaining school gardens. Committing themselves for the good of others, the leaders are also prepared and trained to offer a more hands-on approach in educating people, especially the kids on proper nutrition and introduction of fresh, healthy, and local cafeteria lunch treats.
Backed up by more established organizations such as the Americancorps and generous supporting foundations like the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, FoodCorps has already started this great initiative by sending their first batch of FoodCorps Service Members, of which 50 are selected from the thousands who applied, to over 40 areas (139 schools) in 10 states. This could truly be a great experience for these young leaders who are ready to face the challenge. I love that FoodCorps is identifying the key areas where extensive food rebuilding is needed, and tapping existing organizations and providing them the resources needed to have a deeper and wider approach in what has been working well for everyone.
Back to the horrifying trend of obesity, people could only hope that FoodCorps will at least be a very great answer to our prayers. By helping fight obesity and its related diseases through healthy eating, FoodCorps aims to work on all American states by 2012. This may be a long journey towards a full-time healthy lifestyle, but what’s important is there are little but significant successes that come along the way. So, if you’ve got the skills, the determination, the passion, and commitment when it comes to getting schools serve good food and getting America healthier, then better not think twice and get yourselves ready for this one great health initiative. Join the FoodCorps in building a stronger and healthier nation, starting with the little ones.