Kids
In The Kitchen
About the Program
The goal of the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen
initiative, which is supported by The Association of Junior Leagues
International Inc. (AJLI) and its member Leagues, is to empower youth to
make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood
obesity and its associated health issues. The initiative, which began
in 2006, engages kids in the preparation of healthy meals and educates
them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices. Junior
Leagues in more than 255 locations provide lessons and demonstrations
related to preparation of healthy meals and snacks in partnership with
local community organizations, chefs and nutritionists. A special
website,
www.kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org has been created to provide bilingual
recipes, tips on nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles as well as an
interactive “Kids' Corner” with an online nutrition game.
The Junior League of Fort Myers proudly participates in an annual education initiative on childhood obesity and nutrition, called Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen. With the goal to raise awareness and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues, Kids in the Kitchen will take place on April 26, 2008 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM at the Paseo Village Center located on Penzance Blvd in Fort Myers. Check in is from 10:00AM to 10:30AM.
Kids in the Kitchen is for children ages 5-11 ONLY and admission is FREE but tickets must be reserved in advance by contacting the Paseo Sales Center at 239-425-6777.
Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen, which launched in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom in 2006, addresses the staggering statistic that nearly one-third of children and adolescents in North and South America will be overweight by 2010 and at increased risk of contracting Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, the numerous ailments related to high cholesterol and social problems that affect self-esteem.
This year the Junior League of Fort Myers is partnering with the Paseo community, which has offered its new 26,000 square foot Village Center in Fort Myers for this event. Children attending the Kids in the Kitchen event will take part in various fun and hands-on activities, moving through stations set up throughout the Village Center that focus on learning how to make their own healthy snacks and food and fun ways to keep active. Kids will also take part in other learning activities that provide tips on healthy living.
Junior Leagues also offer a comprehensive website with materials that interest both kids and parents. An online recipe collection features downloadable kid-friendly, nutritious recipes from celebrities, chefs and athletes, as well as an educational interactive game provided by Cartoon Network, the exclusive kids media partner of Kids in the Kitchen. Kids and their parents can also access downloadable nutrition and exercise tips, quizzes to test kids on their nutritional knowledge and the USDA's MyPyramid Blast-Off game, an entertaining way for kids to learn guidelines for daily food consumption and physical activity, tailored to their nutrition and fitness needs. The Kids in the Kitchen website can be found at http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org.
