Through the generous support of the Devils Youth Foundation and Wana Brands Foundation, the Coalition for Food and Health Equity will launch the Ujamaa Cafe community refrigerator program in two Newark schools: Marion P. Thomas Charter School and Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology. "The Devils Youth Foundation is honored to stand alongside the Coalition for Food and Health Equity in launching the Ujamaa Cafe community refrigerator program in Newark schools," said Kate Whitman Annis, Executive Director, Devils Youth Foundation. "This partnership represents the dedication of the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center to support initiatives that enrich the lives of the youth in our communities. By providing access to nutritious meals through Ujamaa Cafe, we aim to alleviate food and nutrition insecurity and help fuel the next generation to help them thrive academically and beyond. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact, fostering a brighter future for all."
1 in 5 school-aged children do not have reliable access to food (Feeding America, nd). Consistent access to healthful nutrition for children is correlated with better academic performance, brain development, and socioemotional development. Further, food-insecure children are less likely to perform well on tests, become tardy, and exhibit behavioral issues. The Coalition for Food and Health Equity's Ujamaa Cafe community refrigerator program offers permissionless access to healthy food options sourced locally. With five fridges currently established, the Ujamaa Cafe program is now launching within schools, offering open access to healthy options to children intervening at an essential point in the day for food-insecure children: breakfast. "I've always envisioned our Ujamaa Cafe refrigerators being in schools and children having permissionless access to healthy food options to kick start a day of learning and academic enrichment," shared Dr. Leeja Carter, CEO and founder of the Coalition for Food and Health Equity. "With the inclusion of the Ujamaa program in Newark schools, Marion P. Thomas Charter School and Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology school leadership, along with the Newark Board of Education, show how outstanding and boundless their commitment to children's growth and development is, along with their understanding of how dignified access to healthy food options is critical to fostering an inclusive and transformational educational environment."
Coalition Equity's award-winning Ujamaa Cafe fridge program places fridges within youth-serving locations to provide access to healthful nutrition sourced locally. "I am so excited about this incredible initiative and what it means for our scholars. This transformative partnership will have a positive impact on their academic performance and overall well-being," said Angela Mincy, Superintendent of Marion P. Thomas Charter Schools. "Providing free and nutritious options through the Ujamaa Cafe is integral to the vitality of our students and aligns with our motto, it takes a village."
In addition to access to healthy options, CFHE is launching two youth educational programs designed to foster the next generation of nutrition equity data scientists and food entrepreneurs. CHE's STEM program enrolls students in a year-long internship program, exposing them to the data analytics and forecasting trends that govern the Ujamaa Cafe program. CHE's Sankofa Youth Incubator is a 9-month food entrepreneurship program helping youth bring their healthy food business from concept to market. The program includes business development, food safety certification and training, financial literacy, and business mentorship. These programs expose students to the machinery that drives food security at CHE, fostering curiosity, developing skills, and offering insight into ways youth professionals can become changemakers in health and nutrition. "We are deeply excited about our partnership with the Coalition for Food and Health Equity in implementing an Ujamaa Cafe community refrigerator at our school," stated Dr. Liana Summey, Principal of the Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology. "Not only will this program enrich our school community by offering healthy meal options for students, but the learning opportunities for young people afforded by this partnership are key to our vision and mission of inspiring the technology leaders and change agents of tomorrow."
The Ujamaa Cafe community refrigerator at both Newark schools will launch this May, with the Ujamaa at Marion P. Thomas Charter School launching on May 15th and the Ujamaa at Newark School of Data Science & Information Technology launching on May 24th. To learn more about the Coalition for Food and Health Equity, the Ujamaa Cafe refrigerator program, and how to attend each fridge launch, visit www.coalitionequity.org or email [email protected].
About the Coalition for Food and Health Equity
Coalition for Food and Health Equity is a 501c3 non profit whose work is centered on building sustainable, community-grown cultures of health through place hunger within the larger context of racial health equity, working to end hunger, improve health, and advance economic equity within historically marginalized communities. Since 2020 we have impacted more that 3000 individuals through our Ujamaa Cafe, Eating Better Together, Rapid Response, and Ujamaa Well food security and wellness programs.
Hotline: 800-943-1752
Website of Source: https://www.coalitionequity.org/
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 993120