| Programs > Youth > Food for Thought Program |
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The life you live is the legacy you leave. |
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Food for Thought Program ~ 2006 and 2005
Healthy Food = Healthy Youth |
Food for Thought Program (FFT)
[To volunteer in this year's (2008) summer FFT program, please click here (Word/PDF).]
2006 Program
Triskeles Foundation and Temple’s University Community Collaborative of Philadelphia (UCCP) offered our Food for Thought Program (Healthy Food = Healthy Youth) for youth, ages 15-20, again last year.
We brought together a diverse group of urban and suburban youth and involve them in activities learning how to identify, grow, purchase, prepare, and market healthy food. We met our goal to empower the participating youth and to give them tools to build a lifestyle of health and vitality.
We also learned about issues of the accessibility to and the availability of healthy food in their respective neighborhoods. The teens were engaged as agents of change in the world.
Their experiences were interesting, informative, and fun.
Last year’s expanded program ~ funding permitting ~ will include 8 events as follows:
- KICK-OFF EVENT: Introduction/Kick-Off ~ March 25 in Philadelphia: Our 2005 DVD and a surprise music DVD premier plus an introduction to the food groups.
- HEALTHY FOOD: The Basics
~ April 29 in Chester County: Included leadership, team building activities and workshops on a community-supported farm with an introduction to organic food.
- URBAN FOOD AND SUSTAINABILITY: Major Conference ~ May 20 in Philadelphia: We will visit and participate in the Sustainable Business Network Conference.
- HEALTHY FOOD: Healthy People at a Pioneering Organic Institute ~ End of June/Early July: A full-day visit to a food institute where we will participate in a workshop on food and wellness. This was a workshop on different agricultural systems, food production and the ecological impact of agriculture. Youth were exposed to topics such as soil health, integrated pest management, and their impacts.
- SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WORKSHOP: All Aspects of Organic
Food ~ July 15 at Maysie's Farm: A hands on experience at a Chester County organic farm.
- URBAN FOOD ISSUES: 2-Day Retreat ~
August 15 and 16 in Philadelphia: We explored economic and social justice issues around food.
- HEALTHY SCHOOLS: School Lunches/Garden ~ September 30 at the Kimberton Waldorf School: A visit to an organic school garden and lunch program.
- WRAP-UP CELEBRATION: Meal ~ October in Philadelphia: We celebrated, reviewed and ate well!
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| Please Join Us: If you are interested in participating in Food For Thought ~ as a student, a presenter, a partner organization, or a supporter ~ please email Mark Birdsall, Director of Youth Programs. Food for Thought addresses a vital topic, and we welcome all who are interested in helping prepare a better future.
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 Overview of 2005 Program
The Food For Thought project was a collaboration among three organizations ~ The University Community
Collaborative of Philadelphia (UCCP) at Temple University, the Triskeles Foundation and the Empowerment
Group. The project directed the interconnected issues of food access, nutritional eating, sustainable
agriculture, and socially responsible youth entrepreneurship. These important issues were addressed
through a series of events and activities culminating in a 2-1/2 day retreat at Camphill Soltane in
Chester County, PA. A total of 20 youth and 10 adults were involved in the events. The youth were a
very diverse group coming from Philadelphia and Chester County high schools as well as a few students
from Temple University and Community College. Additionally, adults from Camphill Soltane, Seven Stars
Yogurt, Kimberton Whole Foods Market, CSA’s (community supported farms), and the Kimberton Waldorf School,
pitched in to make Food For Thought a truly enlightening and rich experience for all involved. Both
formal and informal assessments suggested a very high level of satisfaction and learning and most importantly,
a commitment to continue the project
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