About Our Program
| Purpose The goal of the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen initiative, which is supported by The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. and its member Leagues, is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues. Program Elements to Date Inspired by the Junior League of Calgary's Junior Chefs program, the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen initiative began in 2006 with the goal of engaging kids in the preparation of healthy meals as a means to educate them and their parents regarding nutrition and healthy choices. Junior Leagues in more than 200 locations provide lessons and demonstrations related to preparation of healthy meals and snacks in partnership with local community organizations, chefs and nutritionists. The Association of Junior Leagues International provides guidelines and materials to support the success of these educational and motivational activities and supports the program with a website, www.kidsinthekitchen.org. The website includes bilingual recipes, tips on nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles as well as an interactive “Kids' Corner” with an online nutrition game provided by Kids in the Kitchen international sponsor, Cartoon Network. League Participation Over 200 Leagues in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States conducted the Junior Leagues' Kids in the Kitchen programs in their communities each year since the program's inception. Educational Partners and Supporters Cartoon Network's® “Get Animated” http://www.getanimated.com/ American Dietetic Association (ADA) http://www.eatright.org/ Batter Up Kids! http://www.batterupkids.com/ Healthy Kids Challenge (HKC) http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/ National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's “We Can!” http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/ School Nutrition Association http://www.schoolnutrition.org/ Share Our Strength http://www.strength.org/ Texas Dept of Agriculture's “Square Meals” http://www.squaremeals.org/ United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) http://www.usda.gov/ U.S. Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/ |
 Outreach and Results
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