ALVADORE, OR – The Blueberry Family Health Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is excited to partner with the University of Florida Diabetes Institute on a new program to prevent type 2 diabetes in children. The foundation, established by growers in the blueberry industry, will launch their first philanthropic programs in Florida in 2015.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three children born after the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. ”These numbers are frightening and the impact to families, our workforce and our healthcare system will be devastating” says the foundation’s Executive Director, Kari Rosenfeld. This is why the Blueberry Family Health Foundation will focus on raising awareness of the problem with a multi-front, national campaign called “Give Diabetes the Blues”. Give Diabetes the Blues awareness campaign will launch at the Florida Blueberry Festival 2015 April 11-12, and then spread across the country.
Simultaneously, the Foundation will also launch a year-long pilot program called #FoodReboot. Through a fun evening of cooking instruction and inspired learning, this program will bring education and healthy food right to the people who need it most. These monthly, innovative events will invite at-risk families and provide childcare so parents can learn cooking skills, nutrition and diabetes prevention in a supportive environment. They will enjoy a family meal, receive education take-home materials, recipes, shopping lists and grocery coupons.
The Blueberry Family Health Foundation believes in collective impact. This means bringing together the very best partners with unique skills and talents to focus on a single cause. We believe through our partnerships with the American Association of Diabetes Educators, The Diabetes Care and Education Dietetic Practice Group with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the University of Florida Diabetes Institute, we have the right team to make measurable strides in raising awareness and ultimately, to help prevent 2 diabetes in Florida’s children.
For more information, contact Kari Rosenfeld at Kari@bbfamilyhealth.org or visit their Facebook page.