Junior League of Philadelphia, PA

The Apple a Day Healthy Living Initiative™ is the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc.’s multi-tiered community initiative with the goal of creating a positive impact on the health and wellness of adults and children in the Greater Philadelphia area. Apple a Day™ programming encompasses both interactive educational curriculum and a focus on increasing the region’s capacity to supply and distribute healthy food to families in need.

The initiative aims to build a healthier and happier Philadelphia community by FEEDing families:

• FACILITATE increased access to fresh produce and combat malnutrition and epidemic hunger through a network of community partners.
• EDUCATE children and adults to experience the connection between healthy eating and healthy living through hands-on nutrition and exercise education programs.
• EMPOWER individuals to become advocates for their own health and well being by providing free health and wellness screenings.
• DISTRIBUTE fresh produce in areas classified as food deserts so that adults and children in our community will live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

 

With local community partners, JLP operates three projects in pursuit of its food security goals:

Empowering You Health Fair: The JLP promotes healthy living awareness and education by holding an Empowering You Health Fair at Lankenau Medical Center each spring. This health fair will be different from most health fairs, as it focuses on empowering individuals and families to take charge of their health instead of merely providing access to a myriad of local vendors.

Kids in the Kitchen: The goal of the Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen initiative, which is supported by The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. and its member Leagues, is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.

Food to Families: JLP volunteers run a monthly program to engage and educate children ages 8-14 on subjects of healthy eating, gardening, and basic cooking skills to create healthy meals from what is in the “share” that month. During the 2014-2015 league year, the JLP helped to prepare over 2,800 boxes of food for distribution to needy families in Philadelphia.