Results: Kids in Northern Virginia Are Eating Healthier
Nearly 400 kids have graduated from the Inova Healthy Plate Club through early 2018. And data shows the program is working: In one session, the number of second graders who like kale increased from 8% to 75%.
What kids are saying:
- "I didn’t like vegetables before I started the Healthy Plate Club. Now I do!”
- "I learned you can make food at home that tastes just as good as eating out.”
- "My mom is impressed I’m eating more vegetables.”
- "I make the kale chips at home!”
Learn More and Support Healthier Kids
To learn more about the Inova Healthy Plate Club, or to volunteer, please contact Kate Garsson. Please note the Healthy Plate Club does not provide 1:1 nutrition counseling or medical weight management.
To support the Inova Healthy Plate Club, please visit the Inova Health Foundation website. Select the "other" category from the drop down menu, and specify Inova Healthy Plate Club.
Other Inova Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs
Nutrition is the foundation of good health, and Inova offers a suite of free programs to help low-income children and their parents make healthier food choices and get more physical activity. You provide the classroom, one staff member, and participants, and we’ll bring the instructors, equipment and materials.
Programs can be held in many settings, including after-school or at community centers, churches, and clinics. Each program is 6-12 weeks, and a monthly program can also be accommodated.
Teen Cuisine (Grades 6 - 8)
Inova partners with Virginia Cooperative Extension to teach teens nutrition, food safety and physical activity through cooking. While preparing recipes such as fried rice or omelets, teens learn how to build healthy meals, identify whole grains, read food labels, prevent food-borne illness, and much more.
Nutrition on a Budget (for parents)
Parents meet in a group setting where there is an emphasis on social support, learning from peers, and sharing challenges and successes. With special attention paid to budget and time constraints, parents learn about nutrition for kids, building healthy, inexpensive meals, and increasing physical activity at home. Parents also practice cooking skills in class.
Health and Wellness Fairs
Inova offers several display options you can borrow for your health and wellness fair. Choose from the MyPlate and sugary beverage displays, or use a combination of both. Displays come with everything you need for a 6-foot table, including handouts, a tablecloth and small giveaway items. All you need is a volunteer to staff the table.
The Inova Healthy Plate Club runs in the after-school timeframe in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties and the City of Alexandria. Volunteers are at the location – usually a school – for about two hours. Depending on the site, classes start between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., and end between 4:30 and 6 p.m.
No experience with cooking or nutrition is necessary.
Fill out Our Online Volunteer Form
Volunteers are essential to the success of this program. As a volunteer, you’ll get to:
- Watch kids try veggies like zucchini and kale for the first time – and like them!
- Play a role in helping kids develop healthy habits, make better choices, and manage stress.
- Learn new, healthy recipes that you can take home for yourself and your family.
- Have fun!
To get more information on volunteering, please fill out our online form.