AdventHealth Carrollwood Hosts Pilot Healthy Food Initiative For Girls

CARROLLWOOD, FL —A pilot program launched by AdventHealth provided girls in the Carrollwood area hands-on experience preparing fresh, healthy foods.

AdventHealth Foundation West Florida and AdventHealth Carrollwood partnered with the Hispanic Services Council and The Skills Center, a sports-based youth development organization, to pilot a youth version of the health system’s Food is Health program at Armature Works and the city of Tampa’s Parks & Recreation River Center at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

The AdventHealth Food is Health program seeks to increase access to health education and fresh, healthy foods to improve the overall health of communities, particular in areas where food insecurity if a problem.

Statistics show 29 percent of children under 18 in the Carrollwood area are living in poverty. The goal of the Food is Health initiative is to provide teens and their families with resources to lead healthier lives.

“We are committed to caring for all who need us whether they’re in our care in an AdventHealth hospital or out in the community,” said Kimberly Williams, director of community benefit, AdventHealth West Florida Division. “It’s so important that we meet communities where they are to make it easy for families to access resources to improve their quality of life and provide a path to healthy outcomes.”

Twenty-five students from The Skills Center participated in nutrition classes that incorporated Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters at Home lessons, taught by the Hispanic Services Council, and learned hands-on cooking techniques to prepare healthy meals using fresh produce.

Students also received free vouchers to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables to prepare nutritious meals at home with their families.

“We welcome the partnership with AdventHealth’s Food is Health program.” said Chris Ward, director of programs at The Skills Center. “This provides a healthy food perspective for our girls which leads to them making better choices.”

The Skills Center’s programming is focused on expanding youth participation in sports and encourages regular physical activity and healthy eating habits among middle school minority girls.

Through the partnership with AdventHealth and the Hispanic Services Council, students received resources and additional tools to build healthy habits.

The nutrition sessions alternated between the Armature Works demonstration kitchen and the Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.