Latest News Local News Project to Fight Childhood Obesity
Project to Fight Childhood Obesity
Childcare Gardening Assistance Project
Carrie Colburn from Tahlequah, Oklahoma would like to see whole fruits and vegetables on the tables in Cherokee and Muskogee counties.
"Oklahoma ranks last nationally in consumption of fruits and vegetables, according to the Kerr Center," said Colburn, community coordinator with Smart Start Muskogee.
The Childcare Gardening Assistance Project is a new program designed to combat childhood obesity. It has been launched by Smart Start Muskogee and Smart Start Cherokee County. Both are part of a state-funded group that helps younger children.
Colburn said a variety of child care agencies have gotten involved.
"In June, we took a variety of people on the 'Child Watch Tour' of child care facilities in Tahlequah," Colburn said.
They included representatives of the Muskogee Day Nursery, Muskogee Regional Medical Center Child Care Center, Muskogee Head Start, the Boys and Girls Club, and state representatives.
The group took speakers to each of the locations to present current information on treating childhood obesity.
As part of the new program, young children will learn to grow food they will eat.
Colburn said Smart Start has made the issue a priority. The garden project is one approach. The Muskogee and Cherokee County offices will provide garden supplies and written curriculum.
"We're starting the garden training at the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Center," she said.
The Cherokee Nation is funding the project through a $12,000 contract with Smart Start to provide services.
Bridget Tobey, coordinator for the Childcare Garden Assistance Project, said children up to age 6 will learn how to grow food. They'll also learn healthy eating habits. She said the June tour really set the tone.
"We went to several places like the local Head Start (in Tahlequah) and the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Center," Tobey said. "Then we came back and ate food from the Farmers' Market."
Tobey said she and other garden project organizers knew child care centers would be interested but might not be able to take action.
"They need a little help," she said.
One of the members of the project is Doug Walton, president of the Muskogee Farmers' Market Association and an employee of the Kerr Center. Walton will get soil and plants for gardens.
"The gardens will be raised beds measuring 3 feet by 10 feet," she said. "They will be very child oriented. The curriculum will provide some nutrition-related activity every day."
Tobey said organizations that have asked to be involved include the Salvation Army After School Program, Muskogee Regional Medical Center Child Care Center, Muskogee Day Nursery, the Boys and Girls Club, the Cookson Hills Children's Mission and the Cherokee Nation Cherokee Language Immersion Project.
If you would like to learn more about the Childcare Gardening Assistance Project: 683-9541 or 456-3032.
By: Keith Purtell - Phoenix Staff Writer
