WHY DONATE TO KIDS COOKING FOR LIFE?
We empower children and teens to eat right for life
In California alone, 39.2% of all kids are overweight or obese. That’s nearly 4 out of every 10 kids and the numbers are increasing, especially since the pandemic.
Unfortunately, children with obesity have a much higher risk of developing chronic but preventable diseases, like diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and certain cancers over their lifetime. They are also more likely to become obese adults.
Unfortunately black and brown children in under-resourced communities are disproportionately affected by obesity. The majority of our students are from these communities, and families living within them are much more likely to be affected not only by food insecurity but also by nutritional insecurity.
Ultra processed food is often more widely available than fresh food in under-resourced communities and it’s often more affordable. Daily calorie requirements can be met by eating it, but it doesn’t offer the micro and macronutrients necessary to thrive. The consequent nutritional lack is increasingly linked to chronic disease.
Heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death nationally. Well over half a million Americans are living compromised lives and dying prematurely due to a poor diet each year, and these numbers are increasing.
Researchers have concluded that unless we act now, it’s very likely that about 60% of all American children aged 6-19 will be obese by the time they’re 35.
Yet, studies show that when children choose their own food and know how to cook, they are empowered to develop life-long healthy eating habits and become influential advocates for those around them too.
Furthermore, a healthy diet has been proven to increase school performance by as much as four percentile points, as well as promoting increased attendance and graduation rates. Children in under-resourced communities showed the biggest cognitive gains.
Increasingly, public and Title I schools are relying on non-profits like us to teach nutrition and cooking skills, as they aren’t mandatory in the school curriculum.
The Center for Disease Control recommends many different simultaneous approaches for solving the childhood obesity crisis. Our way of addressing it is to teach children how to cook and enjoy food made with fresh affordable ingredients, instead of relying on fast or processed food.
By educating students about the link between healthy food and disease prevention at an early age, we empower them to greatly improve not only their own future health and well being, but those of the people around them too.
Your donation will enable us to continue providing life enhancing cooking lessons for as many students as we can reach. We operate with a minimal overhead. Over 90% of your donation is used to fund our much needed programs which is the equivalent of an A+ score according to professional organizations that rate charities.
“Organic Oreos are not a health food… Most consumers automatically assume that the word “organic” is synonymous with health, but it makes no difference to your insulin metabolism if the high-fructose corn syrup in your soda is organic.”