The Wellness Foundation Will Host Kids’ Series This Summer To Promote Healthy Eating And Living

With school about to let out for the season, The Wellness Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and adults with the information, tools and inspiration needed to adopt healthy lifestyles, is launching its summer kids’ series beginning as early as June 27.

The first program of the series is “Farm Fresh Cooking” at Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett. Nutritionist Stefanie Sacks, the author of “What the Fork Are You Eating?” will teach children and parents how to make simple and healthy dishes with the ingredients in their community supported agriculture, or CSA, shares. CSAs offer direct access to fresh produce grown by regional farmers.

“When we can get kids and parents involved with food together, it can neutralize the bad feelings or pressure that parents feel in trying to get their kids to eat healthy foods,” said Zöe Klein, the Wellness Foundation’s associate director of education and programs. “When they’re hands-on at the farm, seeing where the food came from and how the food is prepared, they’re more likely to try it.”

Sessions are from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, June 27, July 4, July 11 and July 18. Parents and children can register for individual sessions starting at $25, or for all four sessions starting at $75. To register, visit wfeh.org or call 631-329-2590.

The Wellness Foundation’s series “Super Foods for Super Kids” will be offered at East Hampton Library, Amagansett Library and Montauk Library. In the free series, children will learn about a variety of superfoods such as leafy greens, healthy snacks, grains, fruits and seeds in each session.

At East Hampton Library, sessions run from 1 to 2 p.m. on Mondays, July 17, July 24, July 31 and August 7. At Amagansett Free Library, programs are from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, July 22 and July 29. At Montauk Library, sessions run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays, July 27, August 3, August 17 and August 24. To register, visit the respective library websites, easthamptonlibrary.org, amaglibrary.org and montauklibrary.org.

Ms. Klein said the driving force behind the Wellness Foundation’s children’s programs is the prediction that the youth of today will be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents, which is based on today’s rising childhood obesity rate.

“All of our programs are designed to empower kids to make healthier choices for their bodies,” Ms. Klein said. “Kids often don’t have a lot of say in many things, but we show them that they do have a lot of power in taking care of their bodies.”