BRATTLEBORO — Children at Moore Court, a low-income housing complex near Green Street School, have been exploring food in art as part of their regular “Art in the Neighborhood” project.
On Oct. 23, the American Heart Association treated the children and residents of Moore Court to a healthy meal as part of their Art in the Neighborhood gathering. The children worked on art projects before the meal was served.
“Art in the Neighborhood has been providing free art classes to children in low-income housing communities in Brattleboro since 2008,” Rep. Mollie S. Burke, P/D-Brattleboro, and founder of “Art in the Neighborhood,” said in a news release.
Burke said the program is “working to foster community health, engagement, and cohesion, expanding the mission of the program beyond the doors of the art room.”
Last fall, Art in the Neighborhood hosted a community supper where students helped to make a meal for their families. This year, they brought in the American Heart Association to do a “Healthy Meals” event.
“The students have been examining food colors and drawing vegetables,” Burke said. “This helps them see connections between nutrition and art; nourishment for both body and soul.”
The American Heart Association says it is committed to improving nutrition for children, with a focus on kids' restaurant meals, as well as educating families about alternatives to sugary beverages.
According to the Heart Association, nearly one-third of Vermont's youth are overweight, increasing their chances of suffering from chronic illnesses later in life. The Association is working on legislation in Montpelier to change that statistic.
“This event shows families that sugar and fat-filled kids' meals at restaurants don't need to be the norm,” said Tina Zuk, government relations director for the American Heart Association in the state of Vermont. “We're serving up butternut squash mac and cheese and apple cider glazed grilled chicken to show families that healthy can be delicious and easy. And kids get to take home our www.servingkidsbettervt.org water bottle to reuse regularly instead of drinking sugary drinks.”