In February of 2006, Junior Leagues from across four countries implemented an international initiative called Junior Leagues'® Kids in the Kitchen, designed to help communities address the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor nutrition.
In its first year, more than 200 Junior Leagues participated in the program and provided educational initiatives for children and families in their communities. To date, media coverage has reached over 80 million people with messages about the issues surrounding childhood obesity and the Junior League's initiative.
Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen was recently deemed an ongoing awareness initiative for the Association of Junior Leagues International Inc.
Our 2009 event promises to be our best yet, thanks to a $5,000 grant from Teichert Foundation, and we are already planning for our 2009 mega-event. Sponsorship opportunites are available!
The Junior League of Sacramento has held Kids in the Kitchen events at the Teichert Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sacramento, as well as a Healthy Shopping Challenge at Raley's. Here is an overview of our 2007 activities:
Event
Multiple stations taught children fast, fun ways to eat healthy and exercise. Local chefs, fitness trainers and exercise instructors provided hands on demonstrations. Each child received a goodie bag containing health-related items and a cookbook with kid friendly recipes. There was a raffle where the children won items promoting good nutrition and exercise.
Healthy Shopping Challenge Pilot Program
In addition, the Junior League of Sacramento participated in the Healthy Shopping Challenge pilot program brought to us by AJLI. This new and exciting program launched in March, in conjunction with National Nutrition Month. Raley's generously offered to sponsor this event and hosted the Healthy Shopping Challenge at Raley's Supermarket in Elk Grove. A small group of children had the opportunity to have a hands-on grocery store experience showing them how to select nutritious food items, read food labels, and prepare a healthy meal. By empowering youth on how to shop more healthfully, kids will be more inclined to cook and eat more healthful foods. The Healthy Shopping Challenge also highlights the value of eating at least one meal a day as a family, as recent studies have shown this to improve the eating habits of both children and families.
Thank you to all of our generous sponsors and supporters:
Raley's
Ettore Ravazzolo, Ettore's European Bakery and Restaurant
Patrick Mulvaney, Mulvaney’s Building & Loan
Tex Wasabi's Rock-N-Roll Sushi-BBQ
Health Net
Delta Dental
Lisa Nielsen, DMD, Children's Dental Care
Khaled Badawy, Olympic Gold Medalist, soccer coach
Austin Gonzales, Western Martial Arts Academy
Shelbie McCain Photography
Fleet Feet
Shawna Virga, Athletic Director, Arden Middle School
Robin Lucky
Dr. Shareen Char-Fat, D.D.S.
*Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2009 event. For all sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
The Association of Junior Leagues International is also expanding this website, which provides materials to support the initiative including recipes and tips on nutrition. The website features a variety regularly updated resources to help teach children healthy eating habits, such as a virtual recipe collection from celebrity chefs, local restaurateurs, celebrity moms and nutrition experts.
This League-wide initiative not only addresses a growing problem facing today�®s children but also honors the Junior League�®s long heritage of impact on family nutrition over the past 105 years.
Cartoon Network Sponsors Kids in the Kitchen!
We are pleased to announce that major cable network, Cartoon Network, has agreed to sponsor the Junior Leagues�® Kids in the Kitchen initiative!
Both the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) and Cartoon Network have made significant strides to make an impact on children�®s health and well-being. In 2006, Cartoon Network created the “Get Animated” program, which promotes healthy lifestyle choices for children. The program also instituted the successful Rescuing Recess campaign, which promoted healthy active play in schools and pledged 3.3 million dollars to support the campaign across the U.S. With the help of the Junior League of Atlanta, AJLI and Cartoon Network began developing a relationship after Cartoon Network supported the Junior League of Atlanta�®s Kids in the Kitchen event with “Get Animated” branded premium items and information.
Now, as we build on the positive community and media response Kids in the Kitchen received in 2006, the initiative seeks to expand and build greater awareness of the resources that AJLI and Cartoon Network offer to help the community reverse the increasing trend of childhood obesity.
Together, this partnership will help to expand the program offerings within the “Get Animated” campaign, increase exposure and program reach for AJLI and Kids in the Kitchen, provide valuable, actionable information and resources to families and kids that makes an impact at the grassroots level.
Cartoon Network�®s sponsorship will help develop a variety of tools and materials to help take Kids in the Kitchen to the next level. These items include:
Create 300 customized Kids In the Kitchen prize packs and distribute to local Leagues for events. Sample items include: kid-sized apron, chef�®s hat, cooking utensils, etc.
Create televised public service announcements featuring Cartoon Network Original characters promoting Kids in the Kitchen game and program
Include Kids in the Kitchen information on web kiosk of Get Animated Tour
Execute a pilot program/event with Get Animated elements in Atlanta with the local league that will serve as a model of mutually integrated resources
In addition to these items, AJLI will continue working with Cartoon Network on ideas for future program development and outreach.
By combining our strengths, Cartoon Network and AJLI can more effectively promote our shared cause in promoting healthy lifestyle choices for children. This partnership will truly take the Kids in the Kitchen initiative to a new level.
To visit the website, go to http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org/
