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 The Veggie Project is a result of the research by Darcy Freedman, a recent doctoral graduate from Vanderbilt University. This research aims to address issues of childhood obesity, family nutrition and food security issues in six of Nashville's under served communities. Specifically, the Veggie Project currently works to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the Andrew Jackson, Preston Taylor, Harvest Hands, Coleman Community Center, Margaret Maddox Family YMCA and Edgehill neighborhoods. The project, which was put into action during the summer of 2007, was originally comprised of two specific components: Nutrition Education and Veggie Markets. During the summer of 2008, we expanded the project to include two other exciting programs!
Increasing awareness and educating communities on nutrition and health is one of the core components to The Veggie Project. During nutrition education, interactive classes strive to make health topics such as the food pyramid and proper serving sizes engaging for children. This is accomplished through the use of games, music, dance and crafts that are all related to nutritional health. In addition, fun and exciting field trips take Youth Leader Board members to where they never thought possible. Trips to the farm, cooking class demonstrations, and a trip to Second Harvest are just a few of the exciting ways Veggie Project integrates nutrition education into the Veggie Markets.
Throughout the summer we bring the healthiest, freshest, local produce to our four communities each week. While the project works with local farmers to get the best products available, the children from our host sites are responsible for managing the markets. The children determine the volume of produce available at each market and set the prices for the fruits and vegetables. Another benefit of The Veggie Project is that all food that comes into the community through the project, stays in the community. Any leftover food from the Veggie Markets is donated to local organizations and agencies such as homeless shelters, drug rehab centers, and elderly homes.
One of our most popular programs is the Super Shopper Program - this program was designed to provide more detailed research as well as to support the parents and community members surrounding our Host Sites with better access and use produce available at the Veggie Markets. By signing up to be part of this program, participants have the opportunity to receive Veggie Bucks for certain activities that promote learning more about preparing and consuming locally grown produce. For example, Super Shopper participants can earn vouchers to the market for completing surveys, submitting healthy recipes that use locally-grown produce or attending cooking classes hosted by the Veggie Project staff.
Another popular and exciting program offered by the Veggie Project is the Youth Leader Board! The Youth Leader Board is an additional youth empowerment and community health initiative in which the youth (ages eight and up) may participate. As part of this board, the youth help manage all aspects of the Veggie Markets while learning about all aspects of the Food System through field trips and discussions regarding growing, harvesting, packaging, selling and consuming fresh produce. Youth Leader Board members are encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions on food access and community health through various outlets such as journals, photography, and video. These participants are also reimbursed through Veggie Bucks to the Veggie Markets!
Thank you for another wonderful year of Veggie Markets. In 2010, the Veggie Project is added three new Veggie Markets from the previous year! Our six sites were: The Margaret Maddox Family YMCA Center East, Coleman Community Center, Edgehill Neighborhood, Harvest Hands, Preston Taylor Boys & Girls Club, and Andrew Jackson Boys & Girls Clubs. Thank you to all of the Youth Leader Board Members, Super Shoppers, Interns, and Community Partners who made this year a huge success. Click here to visit our 2010 flier for more information. Please come back next year to check out the markets, enjoy fresh, local produce, and help out the local community!
The Veggie Project is always in need of volunteers. Our volunteers work directly with Veggie Project staff and Youth Leader Board members to help make our markets shine in the community. From working on receipts, to promoting in the community, there's always something new and exciting to help out with each week. For more information on our needs and how you can help, check out our Volunteer Page!
Veggie Project Outcomes
Summer of 2009 was a huge success for the Veggie Project. Over 6,000 pounds of locally grown produce reached out to more than 1,200 community members. Want to learn more about how we did in 2009? Check out all the details by clicking here.
Overall, The Veggie Project has provided a great opportunity for communities to come together. The children of our host sites have truly enjoyed having their summer programs become the "hub" of the community each week. Click on one of the following links for more information on the impact and successes of The Veggie Project in our Nashville communities:
To view the partners who helped make this summer program a success, click here.
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