by Share On Social!
Mayor Carlos Hernandez of Hialeah, FL recently held a press conference to announce the arrival of healthy out-of-school opportunities for kids. Thanks to a partnership between the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Walmart Foundation, kids living in the predominantly Latino (94.7%) city of Hialeah, FL, will benefit from improved nutrition and physical activity standards.
As part of their Commit-to-Health initiative, with the support of the Walmart Foundation, the NRPA has awarded $2.3 million in grants to 50 parks and recreation agencies across the US to offer:
- Improved nutrition and physical activity standards;
- An evidence-based, age-appropriate nutrition curriculum; and
- Access to healthy meals during out-of-school time.
Whether before school, during school, or outside of school hours, Latino kids are in great need of healthy options. According a June 25, 2014 press release, the NRPA has recognized this need and has committed to implementing and evaluating Healthy Eating, Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards in at least 2,000 parks and recreation sites across the country, within five years.
Read the City of Hialeah’s press release here. To learn more about this story in Spanish, watch the video.
By The Numbers
33
percent
of Latinos live within walking distance (<1 mile) of a park
