Minnesota Twins Community Fund partners with Roots for the Home Team™

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Roots for the Home Team and the Minnesota Twins Community Fund will announce details on a new partnership involving youth garden programs in ethnically diverse areas of the Twin Cities, using the produce they grow to create and sell delicious salads at Target Field on Sunday home games.

Attendees will taste a sampling of the program’s delicious salads and have the opportunity to meet youth involved in the venture.

When:
Thursday, May 24 – 11:30 a.m. to noon

Where:
The youth community garden at Nellie Stone Johnson School
807 27th Ave. N. (at Bryant Ave. N.)
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Exact location: http://g.co/maps/rh5zj

Who:
Key program representatives including: Dave St. Peter, Twins President; Megan O’Hara, Community Leader, Homegrown Minneapolis (local foods initiative); Susan Moores, RD, creator of Roots for the Home Team; Representatives from Delaware North Sportservice; Twin Cities youth garden program directors; youth gardeners and sponsors.

Why:
Current statistics and forecasts on children’s health are concerning. Approximately 1 out of 3 kids are considered overweight or obese.

Food choices play a significant role in weight and health with dietary factors being associated with multiple conditions such as heart disease, some types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Research suggests diets rich in fruits and vegetables reduce the risk for weight and diet-related health issues. Yet, educational efforts have not significantly moved the needle toward better health. Youth community garden programs change the landscape. Roots for the Home Team and its Garden Goodies food cart are a unique approach toward engaging kids and adults in eating well.

Roots for the Home Team collaborates with three garden programs in the Twin Cities that collectively reach more than 1,800 youth annually through 33 gardens in 12 neighborhoods including north Minneapolis, Eastside St. Paul, Frogtown, Westside St. Paul and Powderhorn neighborhoods. Follow Roots for the Home Team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roots-for-the-Home-Team/108181805986384.