Paint splatter accent Health & Wellness

Addressing Inequity and Improving Health Outcomes through Food Access and Education

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According to the leading regional food bank, an estimated 415,000 Washington, D.C., area residents face food insecurity – defined as not knowing from where the next meal will come. Disparity in food access is a key driver of food insecurity, and the strain on access is most notable in the community surrounding the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in Ward 7. The Health & Wellness program at the Academy tackles food insecurity by infusing access and education directly into the community with the greatest need, utilizing the Academy as a civic resource. It serves as the cornerstone of a holistic approach to food access supported by Nationals Philanthropies, representing the programmatic expression of a larger strategy that also includes community impact grants and strategic partnerships

20k

meals provided at the Academy to Scholar Athletes and the surrounding community in 2020.

3k

produce bags distributed through the Field of Greens Market since 2018.

450

hours of nutrition education provided at the Academy since 2018.

BUY A BAG: Donate today to fund a bag of produce

The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy in partnership with 4P Foods operates the only year-round farmers market in Ward 7 for community residents – featuring shares of fresh produce at a greatly subsidized rate. With a donation today to “Buy A Bag” on behalf of a neighbor in need, you can provide enough nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables for one week for a family of four.
Buy A Bag

Program Features

The Health & Wellness program is aimed at closing the food insecurity gap between Wards 7 and 8 and the rest of the District in order to improve health outcomes for residents. Program elements include:

FARMERS MARKET | Food Access

The Academy stages the only year-round farmers market in Ward 7 for community residents, featuring shares of fresh produce at a greatly subsidized rate. Operated continuously since 2018 to supply healthy and nutrient-dense food, the market has distributed enough fruits and vegetables needed to prepare over 16,265 meals. Demand for accessible and affordable food continues to soar, with as many as 90 bags per week required to fulfill requests from community residents.

BASE PROGRAM | Enrichment

Health and wellness enrichment is infused in the afterschool (BASE) program at the Academy through healthy cooking demonstrations, fitness instruction, and annual youth empowerment workshops. A high-quality, nutritious meal is provided nightly to each participant.

COOKING CLASSES | Education

The Academy provides a weekly cooking class to both Scholar Athletes and adults using curriculum and recipes from the American Heart Association to provide instruction on preparing healthy, culturally-inspired, and delicious meals to promote heart health. Classes are taught virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.

 

 

MLB SELIG AWARD

Nationals Philanthropies name a finalist for food access program.

WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN

More than 900K meals distributed out of Nationals Park.

FORD MASK DONATION

Ford Fund donates over 80,000 medical grade masks to the Academy.

BUY A BAG

donate today to cover the cost of produce bags at our market in Ward 7.