ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – Winthrop University’s Department of Human Nutrition is a finalist in the siggi’s starters program – and the team needs your help in the battle against food insecurity!
The siggi’s starters program aims to help nutrition professionals implement a community nutrition program. Three winners will each receive a $20,000 grant and ongoing mentorship from siggi’s to help bring the proposed programs to life. You can vote for Winthrop’s proposal here: https://siggisstarters.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/3/details/528. Voting ends Aug. 3 and accounts for 15 percent of the final score.
The Department of Human Nutrition’s proposal, “Fueled to Flourish: A Community Garden Initiative to Promote Health and Success,” will offer the Winthrop campus community more opportunities for nutrition and education.
“We plan to establish a community nutrition education garden that will provide opportunities for students and community members to learn about gardening,” said Ashley Licata, assistant professor of human nutrition. “It will also provide fresh produce for our newly established food pantry.”
Recognizing high levels of food insecurity – essentially, “the disruption of food intake or eating patterns due to lack of money and other resources” – the department established The Food Box in 2020. Located in 308 Dalton Hall, The Food Box collects donations of food items and some personal care items. People can make appointments to select as many items as they need from The Food Box.
Interim President George Hynd and First Lady Alison Hynd helped purchase a refrigerator for The Food Box so that it could collect even more necessary items. Winning the siggi’s grant would expand the offerings, said Jessie Hoffman, assistant professor of human nutrition.
“Most food pantries aren’t well-equipped to deliver nutrient-dense produce and refrigerated products that often support overall health, but also gut health,” Hoffman explained. “By bridging our garden and our food pantry, we’ll be able to offer fresh produce, fruits and vegetables that serve as a source of prebiotics, and we’re also planning to offer refrigerated dairy, including yogurt, that serves as a good source of probiotics. We’re really packing a one-two punch for gut health and overall health.”
The proposal includes a three-tiered approach: campus and community outreach – giving out information related to local garden and food pantry resources, nutrition and gardening advice, etc.; targeted education – expanding the outreach through videos and tutorials; and garden to table – giving select individuals six weeks of hands-on gardening activities, cooking demonstrations and nutrition education.
Ways You Can Help:
*Vote for Winthrop’s proposal here: https://siggisstarters.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/3/details/528
*Donate to The Food Box:
1. You can drop off items outside of the department’s main office at 302 Dalton Hall.
2. The Food Box can accept monetary donations via the Winthrop Foundation: www.winthrop.edu/give. Select ‘Other’ in the dropdown box and enter ‘Fund 2032’ for the gift designation.
All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, visit the department website.
