Improving Wellbeing in Arlington County
ID
VCE-1177-8NP
Sharing Knowledge
Rising food prices make it difficult for families on limited budgets to prepare healthy meals. Eat Smart, Move More focuses on the guiding principles of Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Family Nutrition Program. In partnership with local agencies, community centers, and schools, agents and nutrition specialists teach families healthy eating on limited budgets.
Over the summer, youth and families with limited incomes participated in a four-part series, Garden to Go. The FNP specialist, Master Food volunteers, summer intern, and Family and Consumer Sciences agent taught classes on gardening, cooking, food safety, budgeting food dollars, and shopping wisely. Master Gardeners donated soil, vegetable plants, and additional containers for residents to plant a garden within their housing complex.
For many, this was their first experience putting their hands into soil to plant vegetables. The physical workout of planting a garden helped youth connect to where food comes from and the labor involved. At each session, youth prepared a healthy dish to share with their parents. Garden to Go taught participants that a healthy family starts with making the choice to take charge of one’s health.
Community Voices
“Extension Master Naturalists adopted Arlington’s Powhatan Springs natural area eight years ago. Since then, hundreds of volunteers from the adjacent community have joined with Master Naturalists to plant native trees and shrubs and stay vigilant in the battle against invasive plants.”
Lyndell Core
Manager, Arlington County Parks
50
Home visits made by Energy Master Volunteers
Partners for Solutions
“4-H provides youth the opportunity to engage in activities of interest and develop skills that provide purpose, direction, and joy. As a 4-H agent, it is an honor to facilitate youth programs on career exploration, leadership, entrepreneurship, life skills, and public speaking within the Northeast District.”
Deborah Madden
Agent
To find out how you can support your local Extension office,
visit www.cals.vt.edu/make-a-gift.
3308 S. Stafford Street
Arlington, VA 22206
703-228-6400
Virginia Cooperative Extension materials are available for public use, reprint, or citation without further permission, provided the use includes credit to the author and to Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, and Virginia State University.
Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or any other basis protected by law.
Publication Date
June 21, 2024
