HomeKER - Become a Volunteer
Have You Joined Kids Eat Right?
In November, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and ADA Foundation officially launched their first joint initiative, Kids Eat Right. This member-driven campaign continues the efforts of ADA’s recently approved Childhood Obesity Prevention action plan and supports the efforts of the White House to end the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. We know that many schools, communities and organizations are taking on this topic as a priority issue. However, many recommendations coming forward focus heavily on restricting foods and beverages, and don’t promote the foods kids aren’t eating in sufficient amounts—foods that contain vital nutrients for optimal growth and development—whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meat and beans, low fat and nonfat dairy products and healthy oils. Simply reducing calories in the food supply doesn’t mean diet quality improves. Registered Dietitians and ADA members must lead the way to redirect the dialogue to promote quality nutrition for all children.
Kids Eat Right aims to mobilize our members to take actions to educate families, communities, and policy makers about the importance of quality nutrition for all children. Become a Campaign Volunteer by ‘joining’ at: www.kidseatright.org/volunteer.
What Does It Mean to Be a Campaign Volunteer?
Campaign Volunteers commit to taking 2 actions. All Campaign Volunteers will participate in our social media outreach. Each Monday, you’ll receive in your email inbox a ‘Monday Message’ from Kids Eat Right. You’ll send distribute the Monday Message to your network of friends, family, clients, etc. through whatever social media you’d like—email, Face book, blog postings, Twitter, electronic newsletters, etc.
The other action is whatever else you’d like to do! At www.kidseatright.org/volunteer website, you’ll find 5 focus areas (School, Community, Worksite Wellness, Influencing Policy, and Media Outreach) and suggested actions under each (Meetings and Coalitions, Presentations, Projects and Programs, Media). Descriptions and resources are found under these actions. Once you select one or more actions, you’ll have your own personalized action plan! You can record your progress, and note when you’ve completed your actions. You should even include actions you’re already doing in your work and volunteer time. This gives ADA the ability to quantify and promote our members’ impact and reach. Many resources (PowerPoint presentations, tip sheets, downloadable handouts, etc.) are provided by ADA members, DPG/MIGs and state affiliates. Several additional resources are found in the Campaign Volunteer Toolkit on the website. You’ll continue to find new content, CPE offerings, and fun promotions and incentives available to Campaign Volunteers.
For a video overview of Kids Eat Right and to see a highlight of some of the grant opportunities currently being offered through the ADAF for Kids Eat Right, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVveQILciNE.
New for Families
The Monday Messages should drive parents to a new website for families: http://www.kidseatright.org/, designed to help families shop smart, cook healthy, and eat right. Each week a new tip, recipe, article, or video will be posted. All content for this site is also contributed by Registered Dietitians and ADA members. When a parent clicks on an article, tip, or recipe, they’ll see the ADA member’s name, credentials, and a brief bio. This is another way to promote RDs and ADA members with the public.