FreshPoint Helps Create A Healthy Community.

 

North America's largest fresh produce distributor, FreshPoint plays an intricate role locally supporting healthy eating programs, in partnership with Tampa's community-based agency Project LINK, Inc.

 

In a continuing effort to expand FreshPoint’s grass-root involvement and support in creating healthy eating lifestyles among the county's lowest-income residents, FreshPoint sponsor's a fruit & vegetable distribution hosted by Project LINK called "FreshPoint Market Friday's". Fruits and vegetables distributed includes: oranges, apples, grapes, bananas, collard greens, tomatoes, celery, potatoes, peppers, etc.

 

"Our goal is to educate the community on making better food choices and developing healthy eating habits. We are also campaigning to get parents to model these behaviors in themselves, to help their children maintain a healthy weight and normal growth" states Tina Young, Project LINK's executive director. "We want parents to be aware that the eating habits their children pick up when they are young, will help them maintain a healthy lifestyle when they are adults", she further states.

 

One of the most comprehensive reviews of U.S. studies examining neighborhood disparities in food access found that neighborhood residents with better access to supermarkets and limited access to convenience stores tend to have healthier diets and reduced risk for obesity.

 

Studies have also shown, low-income communities have greater availability of fast food restaurants, especially near schools. These restaurants serve many energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods at relatively low prices. Fast food consumption is associated with a diet high in calories and low in nutrients, and frequent consumption may lead to weight gain.

 

FreshPoint Market Friday's distribution is held on the 3rd Friday of every month at the Just Full Service Center, located in West Tampa on the campus of Just Elementary School.

 

Project LINK, is a community based, organization dedicated to promoting education achievement, expanding access to community service providers, and improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children and their families via targeted case management programs focusing on children and their families that resides in Hillsborough County.

 

To learn more about Project LINK's program and services, please visit their site at www.project-link.org