OKT cooking coaches, Alynn Guerra and Toni Scott, are leading OKT’s free Cook, Eat and Talk Monday July 13 from 6 to 8 p.n. at Brown-Hutcherson Ministries, 618 Jefferson Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.The menu will include kale chips and orange cilantro coconut smoothies.
After another cold winter, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) wants people to get out and enjoy their neighborhoods. To get people moving in the right direction, KCHD is pleased to announce a fun initiative designed to encourage healthy communities and promote the health benefits of walking. As an added bonus, participants could find themselves walking away with a new pair of athletic shoes.
Designated walking routes have been established in the Roosevelt and Garfield Park neighborhoods. Beginning
May 6 and ending June 29, 2015 a golden shoe will be hidden somewhere along the one of the routes every week. Walkers who find one can exchange it for one free pair of athletic shoes (valued at $100) at Gazelle Sports located at 3930 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512.
“We have chosen to focus our efforts on the Roosevelt and Garfield Park Neighborhoods because we knowthat these areas are underserved when it comes to access to safe areas for physical activity.” says Jill Myer,supervisor of the Kent County Health Department’s Obesity Initiative.Many of the people living in the targeted areas are Hispanic or African American. “We know that these groups are not enjoying good health in the same percentages as their white counterparts in Kent County. We also know that a simple thirty minute walk everyday reduces obesity and diabetes risks dramatically.” said Adam London, health officer for the Kent County Health Department. “Our hope is that people who take up walking during the Golden Shoe campaign find it so enjoyable that they will continue for a lifetime.” Route maps in English and Spanish will be placed in local businesses, libraries, the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as well as Gazelle Sports. The maps will describe points of interest along the way and provide walking safety tips.
Walkers can further connect with their community by sharing photos and joining the conversation onFacebook and Twitter using the hashtags #GoldenShoeGR and #ZapatoDeOroGR. More information can be found at http://www.kentcountyhealthconnect.org
The Golden Shoe or Zapato de Oro campaign is made possible through a $13,900 grant from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Active Living Grant Project.
Food Justice Primer
Monday May 11, 6 to 8 p.m.
Garfield Lodge, 334 Burton St. SE 49507
Have you heard the term “food justice” and wondered just exactly what that meant? This two-hour introduction to the concept introduces you to the causes of food injustice, how the agri-business industry works against it and proposes actions we can take to make healthy food accessible to all.
Please join OKT food garden coaches, Camilla Voelker and Jeff Smith for this interesting conversation. Knowledge is power!
You might also want to check out OKT’s Food Justice Series. To date, OKT has created eight of these brief introductions to different food justice topics. You can view and download them here for free. And please, feel free to print and post wherever you think the message could be relevant.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 7, 2015 at the Paul I. Phillips Boys & Girls Club, 726 Madison Street SE, 49503
Come to the Kent County Resource Fair to learn about the resources available in our community. Dozens of local organizations will be on-site to discuss a wide-range of low-cost and free services. There will be light refreshments and toiletry gift bags will be given out to community members. A giveaway drawing will also be held!
For more information, please contact Bryana Hopkins at bhopkins@family futures.net or 616.855.5461
How to Plan Your Food Garden
On Sunday, May 3, 2015, OKT will take part in the ACCESS of West Michigan 38th Annual Hunger Walk. You can join the OKT walking team here. Check-in’s at 2p.m. The walk starts at 2:30 p.m. at Park Church, 10 East Park Place NE in downtown Grand Rapids. After winding through Heritage Hill, down Wealthy Street, through the East Hills neighborhood and along Cherry Street, walkers will return downtown.
This 5K walk raises awareness and funds in response to local and worldwide need. Funds are distributed for pantry assistance, emergency meals, urban gardening, farmers market initiatives for the income-challenged, seniors and international development. The Southeast Area Farmers’ Market receives funds from the walk.
This event brings more than 1,000 walkers and volunteers to the area. Anyone who wants to join the fight against hunger and poverty is welcome!
Find additional information, contact Jennifer at jennifer@accessofwestmichigan.org or 284-4703.
Are you are interested in gardening and providing healthy food for your family? Garfield Park Neighborhoods Association is working with several community partners to create a new community garden at 1714 Madison Ave SE. The garden’s 2015 growing season will run from mid-April through mid-October. Gardeners will have 4’ by 10’ plots. Plot use fee is $35 (with a $10 refund at the end of the season).
GPNA is striving for an ecologically sound community garden. Therefore, they ask all garden members to use ecologically sound garden practices—and GPNA garden staff will be happy to provide any information needed to make that happen.
In addition, GPNA will offer educational opportunities including on-and off-site demonstration gardens. They may have seeds and starter plants available as well as community garden tools and garden supply storage on site, if desired.
For more information contact Fran Dalton at fdalton@gpnagr.org or (616) 241-2443.
Our Kitchen Table 