States
Child Care Council of Nassau
Garden City, NY
The Child Care Council of Nassau is a nonprofit organization in Garden City, New York that implements Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings (EWPHCCS) under a grant from the NYS Department of Health. The intervention focuses on improving the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of preschool age children, their parents/caregivers, and staff by using educational strategies and skill building activities to promote healthy behavior change. The EWPHCCS program also includes a Farm to Preschool component, which aims to increase access, affordability, and consumption of local produce. Each season an on-site garden is planted with the participating child care center. EWPHCCS is currently being implemented in three Long Island Head Start centers that are looking to start a garden full of fruits and vegetables. The children will learn about healthy eating, responsibility, as well as getting a chance to practice their fine motor skills.
EWPHCCS targets families with children ages 3-5 years old who participate in or are eligible for SNAP and are enrolled in child care centers participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Therefore a garden of fresh fruits and vegetables could help feed these families who are in need.
Learn More: http://www.childcarenassau.org/
