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Va. (WDBJ) – The YMCA Express at Gainsboro is located in a food desert, making access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education especially important for the families and children it serves
Through its youth and teen cooking programs, the YMCA gives kids hands-on opportunities to learn about food, nutrition and cooking
The branch also maintains a garden where children can grow and harvest food, helping them understand where their food comes from before learning how to prepare it
One of the most striking things staff have seen is how amazed some children from low-income households are when they encounter fresh vegetables they have never seen or tried before
The cooking programs are open to the public, so participants do not have to be YMCA members
While the classes are not free, the YMCA offers financial assistance to families who cannot afford programming, just as it does for membership and other YMCA programs
Local restaurants and community partners also frequently donate food to support programs at Gainsboro
Here @ Home talks with Chef Albert Neighbors (Chef AJ) about how the YMCA is addressing food access while giving children practical skills, building confidence around healthy foods and creating positive experiences around cooking and nutrition
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