NUTRITION
Nutrition education has always been at the center of Healthy Waltham’s programming. Maintaining a healthy diet can help in preventing many diseases such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer, all of which are known to affect lower income communities disproportionately. Healthy Waltham works to remove barriers such as affordability and lack of knowledge, time, and motivation to prepare healthy meals. We emphasize simple, low-cost, easy to prepare recipes that focus on vegetables and fruits. We believe healthy lifestyles should be available to everyone regardless of income, age, ability, and background.
We are excited to announce a new program, Healthy Habits = Healthy Waltham, funded by the Cummings Foundation. This program will provide nutrition education, exercise opportunities, and other support to help our neediest neighbors practice healthier habits. The 8-week program will teach families about the importance of eating a whole food-based diet, their body’s daily nutritional needs and how to build and sustain healthy eating habits. They will learn about the importance of physical activity and how to keep physically fit in fun, easy and affordable ways; together they will participate in family group exercises and breathing awareness.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Healthy Waltham believes providing nutrient dense foods for our guests is the primary mission for our organization. We strive to exhibit this in our partners, our donors and through the food we distribute at our local pantries
Food insecure households experience higher rates of diet -related health issues than non- food insecure household, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. We seek to ensure that all of Healthy Waltham’s efforts to end hunger in Waltham are in alignment with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and recommendations from several professional, medical and dietary organizations which emphasize healthy eating patterns. This includes a diet filled with vegetables, fruit, Low or fat free dairy products, lean protein, eggs, and other foods low in sugar and fat.
Healthy Waltham does not purchase sugary beverages, ice cream or candy and has never distributed large amounts of these products. However, we do recognize that in very small amounts, these items can be enjoyed by our guests in addition to our other offerings. We may very occasionally offer these items if they are donated to us, understanding that they will never take space away from our healthier options that are most needed and requested by our community guests.
We sincerely thank all of the donors who provide nutritious products for the many families who rely on our service. We look forward to continuing to expand upon and improve our policies together to create a healthier and delicious food environment for all.
