LTC 129-2017 Common Threads - Cooking for Life ProgramsMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 129.2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Philip Levine and Members of th:, City Com
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: March 3, 2017
SUBJECT: COMMON THREADS — COOKING F i R LIFE PROGRAMS
fission
1`
The purpose of this LTC is to notify the Mayor and City Commission of the exciting
partnership between the City of Miami Beach and Common Threads, Inc. to begin
hands -on cooking programs and nutrition education throughout our Parks and
Recreation Department After School and Teen Club programs as well as identified
Miami Beach elementary and middle schools.
Today, one third of America's children are overweight or obese, putting them at risk of
developing serious and life threatening health issues. In partnership with the City of
Miami Beach, the non - profit Common Threads is showing Miami Beach youth, families,
and educators how the simple act of cooking allows us to take better care of ourselves
and the ones we love, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Beginning the week of March 6th, the City and Common Threads will begin implementing
the following cooking and nutrition programs:
• Small Bites — teaches youth about nutrition and healthy cooking through
a series of lessons combining nutrition and cooking for youth in grades K-
5 at Flamingo Park, Scott Rakow Youth Center and the North Shore Park
and Youth Center.
• Cooking Skills and World Cuisine — young chefs learn how to follow a
recipe, prepare and cook ingredients, and always leave the kitchen as
clean as they found it for youth in grades 6 -8 enrolled in the Teen Club
program at Nautilus Middle School.
• Family Cooking — focuses on family participation, healthy ingredient
substitutions, and convenient cost - savings recipes, as well as an
interactive grocery store tour at a selected MDCPS Miami Beach public
school.
• Parent Workshops — includes basic nutrition, grocery shopping, and
cooking with kids to encourage healthy eating habits at home and in the
community at a City facility.
• Healthy Facilitator Training — empowers adults to be healthy role
models by teaching basic nutrition and healthy cooking through
interactive activities through educators in MDCPS Miami Beach public
schools.
Should you have additional questions, please contact Cindy Casanova at (305) 673-
7730.
FOR LIF
SMALL BITES
A limited number of Grocery stipends are available.
For more information contact:
mariaaraujo@miamibeachfLgov (NSPYC)
traceyherrera@miamibatichfLgov (SRYC)
elizabethrodriguez@miamibeachfLgov (Flamingo)
COMMON THREADS --
COOKING
ilnh LIF IA] -
MIAMIBEAO
Let's Get Cooking!
Small Bites
This program teaches 3rd-8th grade students about nutrition and
healthy cooking through a series of eight 1-hour lessons
combining nutrition and knife-free cooking.
Common Threads will provide our Healthy Teacher Training to
train park staff on the program. The lessons are aligned to
National Health Education Standards and support the Common
Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
Through this program participants are given the opportunity to
connect math, language arts, and science concepts to hands-on
experiences that will give them tools to live longer, healthier lives.
Graduates of this class will be able to make their own healthy
snack at home!
Dates
The program begins the week of March 6, 2017
Locations
North Shore Park Youth Center, 501 72 St.• 305.861.3616
Scott Rakow Youth Center, 2700 Sheridan Ave. • 305.673.7767
Flamingo Park, 999 11 Street • 305.531.5636 ext. 26
Lesson Themes:
• The Chef's Plate and Healthy Snacking
• Deciphering the Nutrition Label
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Protein and Physical Activity
• Whole Grain Goodness
• Healthy Hydration
• Facts on Fat
• Make It Happen
Sample Lesson Activities:
• Fruit and Vegetable Memory
• Food Remedy Game
• Protein Power
• Grain Digestion Experiment
Founded in 2003, Common Threads' mission is to educate children on the
importance of nutrition and physical wellbeing, empowering them to be
agents of change for healthier families, schools, and communities.
For alternate format or ADA accommodations, please call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for
English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
FOR LIF
PARENT
WORKSHOPS
A limited nom s er o no -cost classes are available.
for more information contact:
mariaoraujo @miamibeachfl.gov (NSPYC)
traceyherrera @miamibeachfl.gov (SRYC)
COMMON THREADS
COOKING
-� LIFE -
MIAMIBEACH
Bring Nutrition Education
to Your Parents!
Parent Workshops
Parent Workshops engage parents through interactive
presentations on basic nutrition, grocery shopping, or cooking
with kids. The goal of the Parent Workshops is to engage parents
and encourage healthy eating habits at home and in the
community at large.
Dates
• March 18 - NSPYC • April 29 - NSPYC • May 20 - NSPYC
• April 2 - SRYC • May 7 - SRYC • June 4 - SRYC
Times
10AM- 11AMand 12PM- 1PM
Locations
North Shore Park Youth Center (NSPYC)
501 72 St. • 305.861.3616
Scott Rakow Youth Center (SRYC)
2700 Sheridan Ave. • 305.673.7767
The Benefits
• Engage parents in children's food choices and overall health
• Encourage healthy eating habits at home
• Increased understanding of the value of cooking and eating
together at home
• Provide nutrition support and resources for parents
The 4 P's of Healthy Eating
An introduction to nutrition covering portion size, painting your
plate with color, preparation methods and participating together.
Good for You Groceries
An introduction to making healthy informed decisions at the
grocery store while getting the most for your money.
Cooking with Kids
An introduction on the benefits and ways of getting kids involved
with cooking at home.
Founded in 2003, Common Threads' mission is to educate children on the
importance of nutrition and physical wellbeing, empowering them to be
agents of change for healthier families, schools, and communities.
For alternate format or ADA accommodations, please call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for
English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).
PULL OUT (in the middle of the story)
Next Generation
Coming to a Kitchen Near You
By Dr. Leslie D. Rosenfeld
It is something many of us take for granted — having
basic knowledge to cook a simple, healthy meal to
enjoy with family. As we eat, we are not only
nourished by the food itself, but also by the
conversation shared over the table with loved ones.
Yet for some families, the notion of cooking a
healthy meal with fresh ingredients seems not only
too expensive, but also unattainable, due to access,
time and know -how.
Today, one third of America's children are
overweight or obese, putting them at risk of
developing serious and life threatening health
issues. In partnership with the City of Miami Beach,
the non - profit Common Threads is showing Miami
Beach youth, families and educators how the simple
act of cooking allows us to take better care of
ourselves and the ones we love, physically,
emotionally and spiritually.
"It is fun making food and then eating it," notes
Magglib Salinas, second grader at South Pointe
Elementary and program participant.
Through this partnership, the city provides hands -on
cooking instruction and nutrition education
including the following programs:
• Small Bites — teaches youth about
nutrition and healthy cooking
through a series of hands -on
lessons for youth in grades k
through eight.
• Cooking Skills and World Cuisine —
young chefs learn how to follow a
recipe, prepare and cook
ingredients, and always leave the
kitchen as clean as they found it
for youth in grades six through
eight.
• Family Cooking — focuses on family
participation, healthy ingredient
substitutions, and convenient cost -
savings recipes, as well as an
interactive grocery store tour.
• Parent Workshops — includes basic
nutrition, grocery shopping, and
cooking with kids to encourage
healthy eating habits at home and
in the community.
• Healthy Facilitator Training —
empowers adults to be healthy
role models by teaching basic
nutrition and healthy cooking
through interactive activities.
"I am so glad that my son is interested in cooking.
He loves getting involved in the kitchen," shared
Monica Matteo - Salinas, parent of Magglio Salinas.
To learn more about cooking programs for Miami
Beach youth and families, please visit our website
www.miamibeachparks.com. Let's fight the obesity
crisis and hunger paradox on the front lines: in our
community and in our kitchens.