Chicago Park District Partners With U of I Extension and UIC to Offer Nutrition Education to Park District Campers

The Chicago Park District is partnering with the University of Illinois Extension and the University of Illinois at Chicago to offer nutrition education classes for summer day camp participants citywide. In addition to the 17,000 nutritional lunches provided to over 20,000 day campers enrolled at more than 200 park locations, these one-on-one meal/snack prep and healthy eating classes, expose day campers to practical nutritional education that can be easily replicated at home to encourage the development of healthy eating habits.

Chicago Park District summer day camp program. The partners teach campers about healthy eating habits and then assist the campers in making a meal that they can eat at the park, and can prepare with parents and siblings at home. Throughout the week, as many as 90 park camps around the city have campers learning healthy recipes and different ways to prepare delicious and nutritious snacks and meals with affordable ingredients. At the end of the week campers receive a certificate for participation along with a water bottle and the Illinois Junior Chef cookbook.

During this week's classes at Homan Square Park, 3559 W. Arthington St., campers made Banana Splits (Tuesday), Quesadillas (Wednesday), and will round out their week with Ham and Pineapple Sandwiches (Thursday) and Smoothies (Friday).

According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 1 in 4 children in Cook County are at risk of hunger. The impact of these Chicago Park District supported programs is especially profound in Black and Latino neighborhoods that are characterized by disproportionate rates of poverty and food insecurity. In addition, these programs are being offered in the summer when many kids don't have access to regular meals received during schooltime.

Through the USDA Summer Food program, the Chicago Park District is providing meals to campers at over 200-day camps across the city and promoting nutrition with its nutrition literacy classes in partnership with the University of Illinois.

Additionally, the Chicago Park District is a sponsor of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

• Children enrolled in park programming during the summer can receive up to one free meal and snack (varies depending on park).
• This is roughly 200 sites serving nearly 20,000 campers this summer.
• These meals are reviewed by a registered dietitian and are specially crafted to meet the nutritional needs and preferences of growing kids.

Please see below for 2024 menus.

• Snack Menu
• Lunch Menu
• Vegetarian Lunch Menu
• Special Event Menu

The Chicago Park District is also bringing fresh food access to several parks through the Star Farm Pop Up Farmers Markets that are open to the community and overall public.

See that schedule below:

• Mondays: Sherman Park, 1301 W. 52nd St. from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesdays: Brighton Park No. 596, 4830 S. Western Ave. 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Wednesdays: Cornell Square Park, 1809 W. 50th St from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Thursdays: McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd. from 3 p.m.-5 p.m.
  

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