UC Davis Health dietetics interns helped kick off the Summer Meals Program for students at the 2nd annual Picnic at the Capitol.
Many children in the Sacramento region depend on free or reduced-cost school meals for nutrition. The Summer Meals Program ensures thousands of kids can eat healthy meals over the summer.
Hundreds of students from five Sacramento-area schools were brought together to learn about healthy summer meals.
Jessica Perry, Shannon Mahoney, and Randi McCreary taught hundreds of students from five Sacramento-area school districts about healthy food choices and staying active.
Students also learned about honey bees, picked up fresh veggies from local farms and planted tomatoes to take home. Nearly 1,500 meals were served, all inspired by the Sacramento-area school districts.
"It was such a rewarding opportunity to support the community at the Summer Meals Program kick-off event at the Capitol,” Mahoney said. “As dietetic interns, we are not only involved in the UC Davis Medical Center community, but also the Sacramento community as a whole. This event allowed us to help shape students’ views of fruits, vegetables and physical activity in a positive way."
State officials announced Sacramento County will be the first in the state to pilot software to help feed summer meals to kids. The Summer Meals Program set a goal of delivering 1 million meals this summer.
Looking to buy fresh veggies from local farms? Stop by the Farmers Market at UC Davis Health from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through October. It’s located at the corner of 45th and X streets. Parking is free in the Shriners Hospital garage on Y street between Stockton Boulevard and 45th Street.
In the news:
