Crownsville, Md. — The Anne Arundel County Food Bank (AACFB) has unveiled its latest effort, the Drive to Thrive initiative, to revamp community food drives with a healthier perspective aligned with March's National Nutrition Month. This innovative approach seeks to collect food items crucial for combating food insecurity while fostering a healthier community.
AACFB CEO Leah Paley highlighted the dire situation in Anne Arundel County, where an estimated eight percent of residents grapple with food insecurity, a condition closely linked to higher rates of chronic diseases. "We believe food is medicine and are committed to providing healthy food for our neighbors in need every day," Paley stated, underscoring the organization's dedication to addressing both hunger and health through nutrition.
Community food drives play a pivotal role in AACFB's operations, contributing approximately 45 percent of the 1.5 million pounds of food it distributes annually. These drives complement AACFB's procurement of lean proteins and fresh produce, which are then distributed to a network of food pantries, soup kitchens, and feeding centers across the county.
The Drive to Thrive initiative reimagines the traditional food drive model by emphasizing the collection of low-sodium and sugar, high-fiber, and minimally processed foods. To guide community efforts, AACFB has released a food drive guide detailing the critical role of nutrition in public health, alongside practical tips for organizing a drive and a list of recommended donations including whole-wheat and gluten-free pasta, low-sodium canned vegetables and beans, and natural applesauce.
In a strategic partnership, AACFB and Annapolis Pediatrics have kicked off a March community food drive following the Drive to Thrive guidelines. Residents are encouraged to contribute healthy, shelf-stable foods at any Annapolis Pediatrics location throughout the county, with details available at www.annapolispediatrics.com.
James W. Rice, MD, FAAP, President of Annapolis Pediatrics, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing nutrition's foundational role in children's growth and development. "Access to quality foods that provide the building blocks for healthy bodies and minds to thrive is critical, especially for our community members experiencing food insecurity," Rice stated, highlighting the synergy between promoting good nutrition and leveraging community resources to aid those in need.
National Nutrition Month serves as a backdrop for this initiative, a nationwide campaign advocating for informed food choices and the adoption of healthy eating and exercise habits. AACFB joins hundreds of organizations across the country in fostering a nutritious diet as part of overall health wellness.
Annapolis Pediatrics' Sefanit Fassil, MD, FAAP, stressed the importance of early education on healthy eating habits. "Healthy eating is a learned behavior. The earlier we teach and model healthy eating habits with our children, the better," Fassil remarked, underscoring the critical role of community partnerships in providing nutritious options to families facing food insecurity.
For more information on the Drive to Thrive initiative, including how to register a community food drive and learn about Nutrition Month events, visit the AACFB website at www.aafoodbank.org/nutrition.
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