Recognizing the need to fight the childhood obesity epidemic, we have partnered with UnitedHealthcare and local after-school programs to administer our Kids in the Kitchen (KITK) program. Through this nationally recognized health education program, we will reach more than 1,000 Dallas County children and parents this year with a curriculum covering the basics of nutrition, healthy meal preparation and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The goal of the KITK program is to empower youth to make healthy lifestyle choices and reverse the trend of childhood obesity and its associated health issues. Through KITK interactive program, children are taught how to prepare easy, nutritious meals, work safely in the kitchen and incorporate exercise into their daily lives. All recipes are kid tested and truly kid friendly, calling for simple ingredients that do not require an oven or stove.

Through the Junior League of Dallas and sponsor United Healthcare, Kids in the Kitchen provides agencies with the curriculum, tools, and resources needed to implement the program at their individual sites. The Kids in the Kitchen committee hosts participating agencies at Headquarters every January for “Train the Trainer” in order to introduce instructors to the program curriculum and its requirements.