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Supporting nutrition

BHK receives $98K grant

HOUGHTON -- The BHK Child Development Board has received a $98,000 grant to improve its Fresh Food and Nutritional Wellness programs. In part because of the grant BHK aims to overhaul all of its kitchens, provide whole fruits and vegetables, as well as support mothers breastfeeding their children at its locations.

Health Services Director Katie Waara said these grants were provided by Head Start, a private nonprofit organization providing funding and support for its grantees in their service areas.

"They sent it out to all the Head Start grantees and we had to compete for these dollars against other programs," she said. "We were really excited when we found out that were awarded."

Waara saud the grant will be used to upgrade all of BHK's kitchens, overhauling the equipment needs and making sure students get fresh, whole fruits and vegetables. Some of the things Head Start granters looked at included the Fresh Whole Food Program implemented in the L'Anse and Baraga area.

"It's been going well, but it takes time and it takes equipment," Waara said. "When we get these additional dollars, we'll be able to upgrade so we can really focus on those whole foods, those fresh vegetables and fresh fruits, extending those services."

BHK has several locations throughout Baraga and Houghton Counties, within schools and service centers. It also services Keweenaw County. Throughout the Western U.P., “food deserts” defined as a geographic area where residents have limited or no access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious food, has been an identified struggle by BHK.

According to the Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative Community Food Survey, 95% of respondents identified access to fresh food as a concern, while nearly 39% said fresh food was not affordable.

"Nutritious meals and positive food experiences are essential to healthy growth and development," Executive Director Cheryl Mills said. "We are excited to put this investment to work for the children and families we serve."

Waara added support for Breastfeeding families is another concern the grant hopes to address within BHK's service area.

"In addition to upgrading our cooking equipment and food service equipment, we're also going to focus on implementing breastfeeding support resources," she said. "Really putting a big focus on families feeling welcome when they have a breastfeeding child."

A BHK press release cites the organization creating dedicated lactation spaces as a goal for funding use. BHK also aims to put in a nutrition-based curriculum for children and their families.

Equipment installations and education activities will begin across BHK locations in the coming months. To learn more about BHK programs and enrollment, visit www.bhkfirst.org or call 906-482-3663.