Newswise — CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2015 Champions for Healthy Kids grants, provided through an educational grant from the General Mills Foundation.
Supporting grassroots programs that promote healthful eating and active lifestyles targeted to kids and families, 50 nonprofit organizations from 23 states were each awarded $20,000. The $1 million in grants will provide important nutrition and physical activity programming, reaching nearly 60,000 youth.
Learn more about the Champions for Healthy Kids recipients and a description of their projects: www.eatrightfoundation.org/foundation/championgrants.
As part of the Academy Foundation’s Kids Eat Right program, the Champions for Healthy Kids grants support nonprofit organizations to implement new or expanded programs that encourage good nutrition and physical activity for kids and their families. All programs must utilize the expertise of a registered dietitian nutritionist or dietetic technician, registered who is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The 2015 Champions for Healthy Kids grant programs will reach children and families of different ethnic backgrounds, primarily African-American and Hispanic. The largest target population of the grant programs is elementary students, but many programs target preschool-age children or high school students. Programs receiving grants include community sites, school programs and before/afterschool programs.
Over the past 12 years, the General Mills Foundation has provided $7.5 million in awards. In 2015, for the second year in a row, the General Mills Foundation committed to awarding 50 grants of $20,000 each.
“We thank the General Mills Foundation for recognizing the value of locally based programs that draw on the expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered in helping children get and stay healthy,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy Foundation Chair Terri Raymond.
“Programs funded by Champions grants are an integral part of improving the health of our nation’s children,” Raymond said.
Kids Eat Right is a two-tiered campaign mobilizing Academy members to participate in community and school childhood obesity prevention efforts and to educate families, communities and policy makers about the importance of nutrition. Kids Eat Right also provides Academy members with resources to become more recognized leaders in childhood obesity prevention and to raise awareness of the need to help children meet their nutrient requirements.
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The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and awards, public awareness and research projects and Academy strategic initiatives, and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics. The Foundation’s mission is advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of registered dietitians. Visit the Academy Foundation at www.eatrightfoundation.org.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.
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