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A Santa Cruz Nonprofit Building Healthier Generations

Nourishing Generations is a 501c3 nonprofit that that is dedicated to educating and motivating children, families, and community members of all ages about cooking and eating a healthy, whole foods diet, and enjoying regular exercise in order to maximize optimal health and minimize disease.

The Current Health of the Young Generation

What Inspires Nourishing Generations

2%

Of children in the U.S. eat a healthy diet.

70%

Of obese children already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.

4x

The rate at which obesity has increased for children ages 6 to 11 since the early 1970s.

The NG Team

Sharing Our Expertise

The Nourishing Generations Team is a professional group of nutritionists,  chefs, teachers, and skilled community volunteers dedicated to inspiring positive diet and lifestyle changes through education.  

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Since 2011, our amazing Team has shared their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm with program participants - elementary school children, teens, parents, seniors, and women on the cancer journey. 

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Our Journey to a Healthier Future

Timeline

2008 - Started our organization as Kidz for Health under the nonprofit umbrella of Bauman College presenting programs in Santa Cruz elementary schools.

2011 - Became Nourishing Generations Educational Project, a 501c3 nonprofit.

2012 - Began offering programs for children at Mid-Pen affordable housing community sites.

2015 - Began working with transition-age foster youth in collaboration with Encompass Community Services.

2018 - Started our program with women on the cancer journey in collaboration with WomenCARE.

2019 - We presented more programs than ever involving over 400 participants.

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2020 - Transitioned our program to distanced learning in response to the COVID crisis, presenting education through Zoom classes and a series of cooking videos. 

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2023 - Started our first Senior program at the MidPen senior affordable housing site, St Stephen’s in Santa Cruz,

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2024 - Began program at Starlight Elementary in collaboration with Life Lab, teaching nutrition education and hands-on cooking for TK-5th graders.

Our Nutrition and Cooking Programs

All of our programs focus on nutrition and culinary education providing the knowledge and skills for a lifetime of healthy eating.

Children

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Since 2011

We offer hands-on dynamic classes for children that encompass nutrition education, healthy food preparation, culinary skills, and fun fitness activities all led by certified nutrition consultants, natural chefs, and fitness trainers. Our programs are offered in elementary schools, affordable housing communities, and recreation centers.

Women on the Cancer Journey

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Since 2018

This program is a collaboration with the nonprofit, WomenCARE, for women on the cancer journey. Our classes share nutrition information about eating strategies before, during, and after cancer treatment to help one stay nourished and hydrated and assist in managing common side effects of treatment.

Transition-Age Foster Youth

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Since 2015

We work with transition-age foster youth in collaboration with Encompass Community Services. We are excited to be providing this program to assist young adults transitioning out of foster care to learn about nutrition and the planning, shopping for, and cooking healthy meals.

Seniors

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Since 2023

Our newest program is for seniors at St Stephen’s affordable senior housing in Santa Cruz. This program combines nutrition education, healthy cooking demos, and fun social time. The participants learn how healthy eating will help them improve and maintain their strength and health. We also include some gentle exercises – tai chi and qigong – to emphasize the benefits of exercise and strength management.

Cooking Class

Our Team of Nutritionists and Culinary Professionals

Here at Nourishing Generations Educational Project, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a healthier place for all. NG's Team is led by certified nutrition consultants, natural chefs, and fitness trainers. We are linking professionals and community members to bring about needed positive change that will help reverse the rising trend of childhood and adult obesity and diabetes, as well as other preventable chronic lifestyle diseases.

Students are totally involved in 'hands-on' cooking activities with professional chefs and nutritionists and fitness activities with fitness trainers. The Nourishing Generations team arrives on Friday afternoon with bins of food, utensils, aprons for each 'student chef' and tablecloths and cloth napkins so that students experience not only preparing the food but eating their delicious food in a formal dining atmosphere. Many students had never used a cloth napkin or eaten a beet; this program provides opportunities for students to try fresh and local produce. Children love to make the recipes at home for their families; they beam with pride at their ability to contribute healthy meals for their family. Nourishing Generations is truly making a difference in our community now and is impacting future generations!

- Melanie Sluggett | Director of Child Development/Extended Learning at
Live Oak Elementary School District

Kind Words About Our Programs

Our Sponsors

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Join Us at Nourishing
Generations Educational Project

Here at Nourishing Generations Educational Project, we’re committed to investing our expertise and resources in order to bring about positive change in the health of our community’s most at-risk children, youth, adults, and seniors.

Since 2011, our Team, led by professional holistic nutritionists, natural chefs, and fitness instructors have shared their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for healthy cooking and eating and regular exercise, to help reduce the incidence of obesity, diabetes, and other preventable lifestyle-related diseases.

 

Education is key to the process of improving the health of the community. This is a big job and it takes the help of folks like you. Just imagine what we can achieve together!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Subscribe to our newsletter for recipes, nutrition tips, updates, and new blog posts!

Healthy Eating Blog

Check out our blog to learn more about ways to nourish your body through our nutrition information, recipes, and infographics!

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