The holidays are all about family, friends, and, of course, food. But with inflation and the lingering impact of COVID-19, some families are finding providing a festive meal – especially a healthy one – out of reach. Fortunately, Blue Zones Project/North Texas Healthy Communities are once again making sure Fort Worth residents have the resources they need to prepare delicious meals with wholesome, plant-based ingredients.
For the third year in the row, Blue Zones Project/North Texas Healthy Communities have created Gratitude and Giving Bags for communities in need. Bags are filled with a variety of fresh produce—things like collard greens, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, tomatillos, apples, and even pecans. Families also receive cooking utensils like cutting boards, oven mitts and measuring spoons to help in preparation. Nutritional information and recipe cards that feature fruits and vegetables provided in the bags are also included, offering recipients ideas for easy, plant-based dishes.
"During these hard times, being able to give parents access to this food truly helps out,” said Kimberly Soria, Family Engagement Specialist at Fort Worth ISD’s Versia L. Williams Elementary. Jerret Thomas, Recreational Programmer at Riverside Community Center where bags were also distributed, agreed. “Families were grateful for the help with Thanksgiving; all they had to do was buy the turkey,” Thomas said.
More than 3,000 Gratitude and Giving Bags were distributed prior to the Thanksgiving holiday to 35 locations across Fort Worth, including 10 Good For You Pantry sites, 19 community centers, three schools, and three partner organization locations. In all, Blue Zones Project/North Texas Healthy Communities distributed over 29,000 pounds of produce before Thanksgiving. Another round of Gratitude and Giving bags will be distributed prior to the end of the year, bringing the total of fresh produce distributed through the program to almost 60,000 pounds.
“A lot of us take for granted that we are able to enjoy fresh vegetables in our casseroles and side dishes, along with other traditional foods during the holidays,” said Matt Dufrene, Vice President of Blue Zones Project Fort Worth/North Texas Healthy Communities. North Texas Healthy Communities is the well-being arm of Texas Healthy that implements Blue Zones Project and other well-being initiatives in Tarrant County. “Inflation has really cut into many family budgets, making fresh fruits and vegetables even more inaccessible. This program helps fill the gap and makes it easier for families to prepare meals with healthy, fresh ingredients.”
Dr. Carlos Walker, Sr., Director of the FWISD’s Family Action Center, said the partnership enables the center to extend its reach to families in Stop Six and East Fort Worth. “We are truly grateful for the opportunity to partner with Blue Zone Project,” he said. “Through their continuous support, we were able to provide meals to 200 families, bringing our grand total of holiday meals to over 750 families.”
The Gratitude and Giving Bag initiative is just one way Blue Zones Project/North Texas Healthy Communities is collaborating with community partners to improve food access. Throughout the year, hundreds of families can also take advantage of the Good For You Pantry program in schools and community partner sites. The pantries offer parents and community members the opportunity to select no-cost produce and other healthy food options, as well as have access to nutritional tools and recipes. The Fresh Access initiative provides fresh produce to residents served in 17 Fort Worth community centers.