Memphis Spotlight: Nutrition for All Ages
In the heart of Memphis, there’s a drive to ensure that everyone, from our littlest ones to adults, has access to healthy and nutritious meals. This week, as part of our Greater Memphis on a Mission Series, we discovered a remarkable initiative by a group dedicated to transforming how nutrition is approached in childcare and adult day centers.
Meet the Alpha & Omega Nutrition Program
Founded by Shedron Davis, the Alpha & Omega Nutrition Program plays a pivotal role in promoting nutrition education and resources. Shedron’s mission is crystal clear: she wants to combat childhood obesity and related health issues by ensuring that our caregivers are well-informed about healthy food options. She believes that the people feeding our children should have the right knowledge about good nutrition.
Shedron passionately states, “It is so important that the individuals that are serving our children are educated in regard to what nutrition actually looks like.” And what does that mean practically? It boils down to providing nutritious meals consistently, which isn’t always easy for child and adult daycare centers given the tight budgets they often operate with.
Affordable Nutrition is Key
One of the significant challenges these centers face is the cost of providing healthy meals. Many simply can’t afford to serve nutritious food on a regular basis. That’s where the Alpha & Omega Nutrition Program steps in to ease the financial burden, making nutritious meals more accessible.
Shedron explains, “We provide a reimbursement to help cover the cost of all of those meals that are being served to those children.” Every month, daycare centers can submit receipts that match a monthly menu they’ve established, and just this month alone, the program disbursed over $7,000 in reimbursements. Yes, you read that right! That’s major support for child and adult daycare facilities striving to provide better nutritional options.
Voices from the Community
One voice in the community, Brandy Boyland, the owner of Toddler Town Child Care, has been a participant in the program for several years. She beams about how user-friendly the program is. She mentions, “The food program provides us with software at no additional cost. Then we go in and we just plug in the items that we purchased, along with the total cost of the receipt, and submit them at the end of the month. So, it’s very easy.”
Brandy emphasizes the importance of instilling healthy eating habits in children from a young age. She believes that by starting early, children can develop lasting habits that they can carry with them and share with their families. Nutrition education is vital not just for today but also for future generations.
Community Involvement
The drive to prioritize nutrition in Memphis doesn’t stop with one organization. In fact, it’s a community effort. Recently, Brown Missionary Baptist Church and the Mid-South Genesis CDC contributed $1,000 to the Alpha & Omega Nutrition Program, demonstrating a heartfelt commitment to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to healthy meals. Their support shows how much the community values nutrition and well-being for all ages.
Get Involved!
If you’re intrigued by the Alpha & Omega Nutrition Program and want to learn more about their initiatives—or if you know of another group in Memphis that’s making a positive difference—don’t hesitate to reach out and get involved! Together, we can help create a healthier Memphis for everyone.
In a world where food choices can make all the difference to our health, programs like these are more important than ever. They not only foster better eating habits but also help build a stronger, healthier community for the future. Until next time, let’s keep spreading the word about good nutrition and supporting initiatives making a tangible impact.
