Last month Houston DINEs hosted a Munch, Lunch and Learn with the residents at the Oakwood Garden Apartments located on Antoine Street. At the Munch, Lunch and Learn apartment residents were provided with a nutritious lunch and a program on healthy living.
The Oakwood Gardens was recently mentioned in a Houston Chronicle article about the need to feed students during the summer. Only about 9% of Texas children that receive free and reduced priced lunches during the school year take advantage of free meals during the summer according to the article. Many children go hungry during the summer months or eat less healthy foods at home.
During the lunch the Houston DINEs staff talked about the importance of a balanced diet, particularly why it’s important for children to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. We had about twenty five children and adults attend to learn the fundamentals of eating healthy and exercising.
The children participated in hula hooping, jump rope and colored worksheets of fruits and vegetables.
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Here are three ways to find a summer nutrition program in your area.
Call 211: Give the operator your ZIP code to locate a convenient serving site and check for days, meals offered and hours of operation. Most sites operate Monday through Friday, serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and snacks are served from 3-4 p.m.
Go online: Visit http://netx.squaremeals.com/SNP/summerfood/parents/index.html to search sites by ZIP code, city or county.
City of Houston: Call 713-676-6832 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; information available in English and Spanish.
I had no idea there was a houston number to call about nutrition.
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