UGA and Athens Nonprofit Partner to Improve Youth Nutrition and Food Education
A collaboration between the University of Georgia (UGA) and Farm to Neighborhood, a nonprofit in Athens, is making a positive impact on elementary and middle school children by teaching them about healthy eating, urban agriculture, and the food industry. This partnership, supported by the Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award program, aims to address local challenges and promote community service.
Promoting Healthy Eating Habits
The HEALTHYouth program, initiated by Farm to Neighborhood founder Rashe Malcolm, focuses on assisting Athens-Clarke County residents with limited incomes who face food insecurity. Malcolm, owner of Rashe’s Cuisine and an Athens native, started the program to guide young students in developing healthy eating habits and acquiring knowledge about the food industry. Through weekly sessions, participants learn about nutrition, healthy meal planning, budgeting tips, and gain an understanding of where food comes from.
Award Recognizes Local Impact
UGA’s School of Social Work and Farm to Neighborhood were selected as one of the recipients of the 2023 Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award. This award, facilitated by UGA Public Service and Outreach, provides nearly $40,000 to support local projects that make a difference in Athens-Clarke County. The endowment, which honors Sahm’s philanthropic efforts, enables UGA to partner with local organizations and address community needs.
Engaging the Community
Rashe Malcolm’s collaboration with UGA benefits from her previous work with the UGA Small Business Development Center. The partnership seeks to expand the program’s impact by utilizing UGA’s resources and integrating them into the HEALTHYouth curriculum. With the support of the Sahm funding, Malcolm plans to enhance the program by providing nutritious food and supplies and extending it to include young adults as well.
UGA President’s Contribution
UGA President Jere W. Morehead expressed his appreciation for Sahm’s gift and its potential to positively affect the Athens-Clarke County community. Inspired by Sahm’s endowment, President Morehead made a significant contribution of $100,000 using discretionary funds provided by the UGA Athletic Association to support community service and outreach initiatives.
Collaborative Efforts
Philip Hong, the dean of UGA’s School of Social Work, believes in the power of partnerships to drive community engagement. Through collaborations like the one with Farm to Neighborhood, UGA and the School of Social Work aim to expand their impact in Athens-Clarke County. Tony Mallon, the director of the School of Social Work’s Institute for Nonprofit Organizations, has previously worked with Rashe Malcolm on grant writing projects, and the School of Social Work provides student interns for Farm to Neighborhood.
Positive Learning Environment
To enhance the HEALTHYouth program, Philip Hong and Rashe Malcolm developed a curriculum that combines healthy food and snack awareness, access to nutritious options, urban agriculture, and social-emotional learning. By integrating these components into the “Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP)” guide authored by Hong, the program creates a positive learning environment for students. The Sahm funding ensures that the program has the necessary resources to continue making a meaningful impact in the community.
Growing From Local Initiatives
The collaboration between UGA, Farm to Neighborhood, and the School of Social Work exemplifies the university’s commitment to serving the Athens-Clarke County community through transformative initiatives. By starting locally, UGA aims to foster connections, provide students with valuable experiential and service learning opportunities, and make a lasting community impact.
The Impact Continues
The success of the HEALTHYouth program and its partnership with UGA demonstrates the potential for future collaborations and projects. Applications for the Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award open soon, allowing other organizations to apply for funding and contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the Athens-Clarke County community.