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Food Bank Teaching Low-Income Families Healthy Living

Sep 25, 2016 | 11:43 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A 12-week sessions is aiming to spark healthy changes for low-income families across Lethbridge.
 
The Interfaith Food Bank got on-board with the FoodFit program with funding from Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada . Classes are built to teach better nourishment, being more active and less socially isolated.
 
Interfaith has received enough funding to run the program over the course of two years. It provides participants with the necessary support and motivation to make lasting changes.
 
“Our focus is not just a hand out, but a hand up. We want to develop programs that will actually help community members increase their circumstances, and get them better involved in the community,” said Thressa Bens, Community Health Facilitator at Interfaith.
 
So far, CFCC has reported that FoodFit has had an overwhelmingly positive effect, noting that participants ate more fruits and vegetables, cooked more meals at home, got more physically active and increased their social support networks.
 
Lethbridge is one of five cities across Canada running the program. Interfaith hopes to work FoodFit into its budget to keep it running long after the grant expires.
 
You’re encouraged to contact Thressa if you’d like to participate. Classes start this coming Tuesday (September 27).