Chicago.com
In a world of widening waistlines, accumulating calories, and proliferating portions, it’s no wonder why obesity rates have risen dramatically not only among adults, but among children as well. Obesity has become a serious problem plaguing our society, and, if left untreated, can lead to dangerous health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. With society’s well-being seemingly spiraling downwards, something must be done to prevent this disturbing trend; this is exactly the mindset of Veggie U, an organization dedicated to educating children for healthy living.
Veggie U is a not-for-profit organization that strives to encourage a harmonious balance between agricultural, educational, and nutritional factors, using these factors to oppose the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. Veggie U stresses the importance of teaching children healthy living, allowing children to integrate these valuable lessons as they mature into adults. As their mission states, “Veggie U promotes the well-being of children through a healthy lifestyle. It is dedicated to the creation and distribution of curricula nationally, with a focus on making wise food choices, combating adolescent and juvenile disease, and attaining an understanding of sustainable agriculture.” By incorporating seminars, outreach programs, and hands-on curricula designed for classrooms nationwide, Veggie U strives to emphasize the relationship between agriculture and good nutrition. As part of the Culinary Vegetable Institute, Veggie U fights obesity by combining educators, nutritionists, physicians, and chefs, using their knowledge and expertise to teach children the benefits of healthy living. To learn more about Veggie U, as well as the Culinary Vegetable Institute, please visit their website at www.veggieu.org.
On Saturday, July 17, the Culinary Vegetable Institute will host its 8th Annual Food and Wine Celebration, a benefit for Veggie U’s children’s program. This benefit will include a meet and greet with some of the most prominent and reputable chefs in the world, a food and wine demonstration by special guest chefs, and a silent auction featuring a vast array of items and specialties for your bidding pleasure. This wonderful event will help raise funds to continue the fight against obesity and continue to teach children the important lessons of healthy living.
Veggie U’s 8th Annual Food & Wine Celebration will be held Saturday, July 17 from 5:00-9:00pm at The Culinary Vegetable Institute, 12304 State Route 13 in Milan, Ohio. To purchase tickets for this event please call 419-499-7500. For more information about this event, please visit their website at www.veggieufoodandwine.com.
Help fight childhood obesity with some of the best chefs in the world and make unhealthy living a thing of the past.