A New HCAT Program Takes Root
By: Ashley Jacobs, Program Coordinator, Office on Youth
The Orange Healthy Community Action Team (HCAT) seeks to break barriers to healthy childhoods for Orange County children. The work of the HCAT involves education, produce taste - testing, provision of recreational opportunities, and increased access to fresh locally - grown produce. A new program launched in June in which 40 Take Home Garden Kits were made available to the public courtesy of grant proceeds from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. The June program provided summer herbs, premium grow mix (soil), a fabric aeration pot, and resources such as directions on how to plant, harvest, cook with, and store the herbs.
The public response was great, and every kit found a home. Within the 40 households, 70 kids were served through this gardening initiative. Furthermore, of those households, 17 had never attempted a vegetable or herb gardening effort, and 16 had not tried any type of container gardening. The Orange HCAT is excited to continue this program and watch it grow every year. For more information regarding the work of the Orange Healthy Community Action Team, please visit www.orangecountyva.gov/HCAT or find the HCAT on Facebook or Instagram.
Page 11 | July, 2022
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