Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Residents of the Wilmington Housing Authority's Hillcrest Community and students from the University of North Carolina Wilmington will enjoy a family picnic to the tune of a guitar from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 21. The celebration is the finale of a semester-long "Friends, Food and Fun" program.

Designed and implemented by UNC Wilmington public sociology students, "Friends, Food and Fun" program focuses on educating the children of Hillcrest about nutrition in their daily lives. Local chefs taught children how to cook healthy meals in one-on-one hour-long classes held every week at the Hillcrest Community.

Historically, low-income communities have a higher risk for nutrition-related health problems due to inadequate access to nutritional information and healthy foods. Surveys revealed that participating children were more likely to list a fruit or vegetable as one of their favorite/most frequently eaten foods and have a greater knowledge of nutrition since beginning the program.

Picnic participants will include local chefs, UNCW students, community partners and Hillcrest residents. Children at the event will be wearing the chef hats they use when they cook in class.

Media are invited to join the picnic for hands-on visual opportunities and interviews with participants.

Media Contacts:
Joy Davis, Marketing and Communications, 910.632.3903 or davisjc@uncw.edu