The Humboldt Park Union League Boys & Girls Club in Chicago has recently launched an innovative program aimed at providing children and families with access to fresh fruits and vegetables to promote healthy eating habits and address food deserts in the area. The club, located at 1214 N. Washtenaw Ave., primarily serves low-income youth from the South and West Sides of the city.
The Feel Good Fridge, a Maytag refrigerator fully stocked with free fruits and veggies from Cermak Produce Fresh Market, was introduced earlier this month in the club’s game room area. This initiative is part of a national effort by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to increase access to nourishing food for youth. Jeremy Murphy, the senior club director, explained that the idea for the Feel Good Fridge stemmed from the community’s need and the importance of educating kids on the benefits of fresh produce for their physical and mental health.
In addition to providing healthy snacks for club members, the Feel Good Fridge will also play a significant role in enhancing the club’s cooking program. Youth and their families can learn how to prepare nutritious meals using the produce available in the fridge. The upcoming cycle of the program, scheduled to start in September, will feature cooking classes taught by local chefs from popular eateries like La Bruquena, Café Colao, and La Sandwichera Cafe.
This initiative marks the first time the club has implemented a community fridge of this kind, and the response from members has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents have already begun utilizing the fridge to access fresh produce for their families, indicating its immediate impact on the community.
Club members, such as Noah, Alannah, and Jinger, have embraced the Feel Good Fridge, regularly picking up apples, oranges, and cucumbers for snacks. Their participation in the cooking program allowed them to contribute to stocking the fridge when it first arrived. The kids emphasized the importance of consuming fruits and vegetables for overall strength and health, highlighting the value they have gained from this initiative.
Moreover, the Feel Good Fridge has created opportunities for club members to give back to the community. Once a month, a group from the club delivers fresh produce to the homeless individuals living in Humboldt Park’s tent encampment. Through these experiences, the kids have learned the importance of kindness and generosity towards those less fortunate.
In summary, the Feel Good Fridge at the Humboldt Park Union League Boys & Girls Club is not only promoting healthy eating habits among youth and families but also fostering a sense of community and compassion. With its positive impact on club members and the broader neighborhood, this initiative is a shining example of how simple ideas can make a significant difference in addressing social issues like food insecurity.
