Education can make the difference in encouraging parents and children to adopt healthy eating habits that improve their health and decrease the risk of diabetes and heart disease later in life. A.C.T.S. of F.A.I.T.H. and City Produce Project are encouraging health institutions that serve underserved communities to include community leaders, corporations and academia in the development of health directed programming.  "There is more than enough room for additional participation," added Dr. Davis. "Making positive advances in childhood obesity now provides significant payback in future years."

In 2010, City Produce Project is offering nutrition instruction for underserved communities throughout the Chicago area, conducted in a classroom setting facilitated by professional educators from the University of Illinois Extension program.  Coupled with fresh vegetables grown on nearby farms, participants are given a comprehensive set of tools to use in the fight against obesity related co-morbidities.  The City Produce Project has to date distributed thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables to communities where fresh produce is nearly non-existent.  

"We are pleased that Illinois' family farmers have stepped up to address this challenge," stated Rodney Weinzierl, executive director of Illinois Corn Marketing Board representing family farmers across IL producing corn. "We've seen progress this year in a very difficult growing season. This underscores the challenge to reliable food production and the need to increase efforts around food related health issues."

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month puts a spotlight on this alarming issue and is a call to action for a greater network of partnerships to provide resources to guide youth to a healthier future.

SOURCE City Produce Project