November 26, 2024

Sharing a Harvest: HCAT’s Food Demonstration and Giveaway at Petersburg Public Library

Yesterday (11-25-2024), the Petersburg Public Library hosted Sharing a Harvest, an event led by our new Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) Coordinator Ruth Frierson. The event was a wonderful blend of community engagement, education, and support, offering a food demonstration, taste testing, and a fresh produce giveaway.

A Look at HCAT’s Mission and Vision

HCAT is a local initiative dedicated to advancing children’s health by ensuring consistent access to fruits and vegetables. Through interactive activities, HCAT engages children, youth, and families to inspire healthier choices. Their programs include:

Food demonstrations and taste testing.
Promoting Farm-2-School activities.
Establishing Learning Gardens to teach sustainable practices.
Increasing access to fresh produce in the community.

HCAT’s ultimate goal is to cultivate a coalition of partners to create a thriving, healthy Petersburg.

Event Highlights

At Sharing a Harvest, attendees explored new ways to prepare seasonal produce with recipes highlighting sweet potatoes, carrots, and collard greens. On the menu were these fresh ingredients, creatively prepared for everyone to sample.

The first 50 children who participated in the taste testing received a bag of ingredients to take home, including everything needed to practice the recipes at home. This hands-on opportunity allowed families to extend the lessons learned during the demonstration into their own kitchens.

Get Involved with HCAT

HCAT holds quarterly partnership meetings on the third Tuesday. These gatherings are an excellent opportunity for community members and organizations to collaborate and further their shared mission. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or community leader, HCAT welcomes your partnership.

Together, we can continue building a healthier Petersburg, one fresh meal at a time.

September 3, 2024

Ann Vargo makes Sweet Potato Fries!

Our Food Demonstrations take place on Tuesdays at the Petersburg Public Library!!

Food is Medicine – Funded by the Cameron Foundation

The Food is Medicine program is a Produce Rx initiative. Dr. Clifford Morris of the Morris Cardiovascular and Risk Reduction Clinic refers his patients who are Petersburg residents and may be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease to participate in this program.

Our second cohort of 25 participants, started on August 6 and will run through October 22. For 12 weeks, participants receive a free bag of fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables from local farmers’ markets.

At the beginning of the program, participants receive a free blood pressure cuff and scale. For the remaining 11 weeks, they receive various kitchen utensils such as cutting boards, peelers, spices, and recently, a blender.

When participants come to pick up their produce bags, they can also enjoy free healthy food demonstrations, get free blood pressure screenings, and receive assistance from the Department of Social Services, which is available to answer questions and provide support for their programs.

For more information, reach out to Lenice Sudds, BHS, LPN,QMHP-A

Program Coordinator

Healthy Living and Learning Center

Petersburg Public Library

201 W. Washington Street

Petersburg, VA 23804

Phone: 804.733.2387 ext. 6302

Email: [email protected]

July 31, 2024

Exclusive Food Demo with Dr. Auntie (Dr. Christin D. Haynes, MSW)

Our Food Demonstrations take place on Tuesdays at the Petersburg Public Library!!

We are thrilled to share the recipe and inspiration behind our latest YouTube video with Dr. Christin D. Haynes, MSW, where we demonstrate how to create a fresh and vibrant Nectarine Salad. This dish is not only bursting with flavors but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect addition to your summer meals. Let’s dive into the details and explore how you can easily recreate this delightful salad at home.

The Recipe: Nectarine Salad with Curly Kale, Avocado, and Chickpeas

Ingredients

Dressing:

1 Nectarine
2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsp Water
1 tbsp Honey
1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Salad:

1 bunch of Curly Kale
1 ripe Nectarine
1/2 Avocado
1/4 cup Sliced Red Onion
1/4 cup Zucchini
1/4 cup Cooked Low Sodium Chickpeas (canned is okay)
1/4 cup Sliced Almonds

Preparation

For the Dressing:

Slice the nectarine and remove the pit.
Add all ingredients (except water) into a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
If the dressing is too thick, gradually add water until the desired consistency is reached.
Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

For the Salad:

Rinse the kale and remove the stems.
Open and drain the chickpeas, then set them aside.
Slice the avocado, red onion, zucchini, and nectarine.
Toss all the ingredients together with the chickpeas and dressing. Top with sliced almonds.

Nutritional Highlights

This Nectarine Salad is not just a feast for the eyes but also a powerhouse of nutrition. With 859 calories, it offers a good balance of 20g of protein, 22g of fiber, and a healthy mix of fats, including 33g of monounsaturated fats. The salad is also rich in potassium and relatively low in sodium, making it a heart-healthy choice.

Health Benefits

As highlighted in the video, incorporating non-starchy vegetables, fruits, and fiber into your diet can significantly lower your risk for colorectal cancer. The combination of kale, avocado, nectarines, and chickpeas provides a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, promoting overall well-being.

Bringing the Recipe to Life

In our food demo with Dr. Auntie, we walk you through each step of the process, offering tips and tricks to make this recipe even more delightful. Watching the video, you can see how the fresh ingredients come together to create a visually appealing and delicious dish. It’s a simple yet elegant salad perfect for a light lunch or a side dish for your next dinner party.

Final Thoughts

We hope this recipe inspires you to try something new in your kitchen. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, this Nectarine Salad is easy to make and full of fresh flavors that will brighten up your day. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking!

Stay connected with us at our Health Living and Learning Center for more updates and delicious recipes!