Development in Gardening (DIG)’s Post

Food donations can focus on nutrition, not just hunger By Michael Precker, American Heart Association News Published: December 6, 2024 Food donations are on the minds of many people, especially around the holidays, as collection drives pop up to help food banks, pantries and people in need. But what about nutrition? "For a lot of the U.S. population that struggles with food insecurity, just having enough food is a big part of it," said Dr. Heather Eicher-Miller, a professor of nutrition science at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. "But another part of it is having the right kinds of foods to support nutrition and health in the long term." Roughly 47 million people in the U.S., including more than 7.2 million children, lived with food insecurity in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Food insecurity is defined as "limited or uncertain access to adequate and safe foods" often due to lack of money. Nutrition security means having consistent and equitable access to "healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being." While food insecurity has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death, poor nutrition can do the same with obesity and diabetes, and affect one's mental health. https://lnkd.in/geQQU-uC

From fields to factories to families: What you see here is just a snippet of what it takes to turn peanuts into an energy dense, micronutrient paste used to treat malnourished children. Each of these boxes contains 150 sachets filled with a specialized peanut butter paste packed with enough nutrition to feed and treat a child for six weeks. Every sachet has a two-year shelf life and does not require refrigeration or additional preparation. As a result, children are able to be treated at home instead of in a hospital. USAID works with organizations like MANA (Mother Administered Nutritive Aid) in Georgia, shown here, as well as Edesia Nutrition in Rhode Island, to produce this life-saving product here in the United States. This is just one small piece of how USAID provides food and nutrition assistance all around the world. In 2023, USAID provided more than $5 billion in food and nutrition assistance to 134 million people in 61 countries. Today, on #WorldFoodDay, we salute everyone involved in helping get this life-saving food and nutrition into the hands of the children who need it.

We know that having a good diet and nutritious and yummy food in the early years is essential for all aspects of development. This is why we have partnered with local family-run restaurant group Bianchis via Cucina Bambini to provide the very best in early years food for all our children. Check out our latest journal post on the launch of their new Autumn menu https://lnkd.in/eMzNnusw #raisedinbristol #raisedin #wherefuturesflourish #bristol #bristolfamilies #earlyyears #peopleoverprofit #reallivingwage #playledlearning #earlyyearsideas #bristolnursery #earlyyearsfoundationstages #eyfs #communityfocused #bristolcommunity #bristolbabygroup #secureattachments #eatbetterstartbetter #earlystartnutrition #outdoorplay #thebristolstandard #communityinterest #makeadifference #socialenterprise #circulareconomy #supportlocal #bianchis #cucinabambini #bristolfoodanddrink #bristolfoodies 

As many of our long time clients and customers know. Green Century is very involved in our local community. We are so happy to partner with LIft Up this year. Please help us exceed this goal and lift us up, spread the word, boost the post. We can't do this alone. Food banks favor nut butter like peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter for several reasons: High Nutritional Value Nut butter are rich in protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients, making them a filling and nourishing option for individuals facing food insecurity. Long Shelf Life: Nut butters typically have a long shelf life, which helps food banks store and distribute them without concern for rapid spoilage. Versatile and Kid-Friendly: They can be used in various meals and snacks, are easy to spread, and are widely accepted by children and adults alike. Easy to Store and Distribute: Nut butters come in durable, compact containers that are easy to transport, stack, and store at food banks. Allergen Alternatives Many food banks also accept nut-free alternatives like sunflower seed butter to accommodate allergies, ensuring inclusivity. Nut butters are a practical and valued donation that supports balanced diets for those in need. #FoodBankSupport    #EndHunger    #FightingHunger   #DonateFood   #HungerRelief   #FoodForAll   #NutButterLove   #PeanutButterDonation   #HealthyDonations   #SpreadTheLove   #GiveBack    #CommunitySupport   #MakeADifference   #DonateToday    #FoodInsecurityAwareness   #ZeroHunger    #HelpYourNeighbor   #SharingIsCaring https://lnkd.in/ggcmG6HS

Did you know? March is National Nutrition Month. This year's theme is "Beyond the Table," which highlights the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets. This month and every month, let's highlight the importance of making informed food choices. We challenge you to make one healthy food choice a day this month! #LearnLA #education #nonprofit #afterchoolprogram #NationalNutritionMonth

🚨🎉 WIN: On April 9th, 2024, the USDA announced a plant-forward update to the foods provided through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC. The updates include the expansion of plant-based yogurts and cheeses, as well as higher flexibility for states to authorize additional plant-based foods as they meet program nutrient specifications. This was the first update to the WIC food packages in 10 years and is a significant win: nearly seven million women, infants, and children – or 53 percent of all babies born in the United States – participate in WIC and rely on the program to meet their daily caloric intake. Read more about the win on The Digest: https://buff.ly/3Jkj0VT

WIC new plant-forward update may take two years to implement but it's going to influence a generation. The increase in access that this onramp can create can not be overstated. But the change in paradigm it will create as a result of education and exposure is transformative. #plantbasedfuture https://lnkd.in/dzzcdsnc

A cow generally spends about 8 hours a day eating…This also means she needs a lot of feed! About 40 pounds of fodder in a day. We better make sure that what she eats is “good” and is efficiently used. Let’s talk about ways to improve that! go.nutrex.eu/j0i #animalnutrition #nutrexfeedadditives

Vegan parents have different opinions on whether a vegan diet should be 'imposed' on their children, with some notable cases of parents being accused of malnourishing their kids. However, we know today that children can be raised very healthily on a vegan diet. In this blog, three Middle Eastern vegan mothers discuss how they're raising their kids. 🌱 👉 Are you raising your children as vegan? https://lnkd.in/gytpu9C6 #vegan #vegankids #plantbaseddiet

Members of the House of Lords Food, Diet, and Obesity Committee recently visited our Fruit & Veg on Prescription Project at the Bromley By Bow Centre🍎🥦 Aggie shared her story: “Ruby and I go to the market together to spend our #RoseVouchers, teaching each other about our cultures' produce. I’ve tried new foods and made a friend in the process!” Our recommendations to the Committee include: 1️⃣ Press forward with the existing commitment to pilot a three-year ‘Community Eatwell’ Programme based on our Fruit & Veg on Prescription projects. 2️⃣ Trial a preventative approach to providing vouchers for fruit and veg to families on low incomes, based upon our Rose Voucher for Fruit & Veg project. 3️⃣ Use the revenue from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy and any future extensions to fund vouchers for fruit and veg for those on low incomes to tackle food insecurity and food-related ill health. Read more in our latest blog! 👉