Helping kids eat healthy

More than 500 low-income kids learned about healthy eating this summer at nutrition fairs presented by GBFB at Boys & Girls Clubs in Boston, Brockton and Fall River.

At the one-day events, GBFB staff and volunteers taught kids about food groups, what goes into a healthy meal and the importance of hydration and exercise.

“It definitely helps our kids be more conscious about food and feeling good about themselves,” said Rick Aggeler, director of operations at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston, which serves neighborhoods with pronounced need in both Boston and Chelsea.

One in eight children across Eastern Massachusetts is food insecure. One out of every three people GBFB serves is a child under the age of 18.

“We try to get kids thinking about the foods they eat and how to incorporate them into a healthy meal,” said Rachel Caty, MPH, RDN, GBFB nutrition manager and one of GBFB’s two registered dietitians.

Your Hunger Action Month donation supports GBFB’s nutrition fairs and its School-based Pantry program that provides healthy foods to children and families during the school year.