Nourish to Flourish
Welcome to Nourish to Flourish
Nourish to Flourish is a free program dedicated to improving childhood health by addressing the critical links between food insecurity and obesity. Through engaging education, access to nutritious food, and fun, hands-on activities, we empower children and families to build healthier habits for life. Explore our mission, approach, and offerings to see how we’re working to create a healthier future for our community.
The Problem
There has been a dramatic rise in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity over the past few decades. Today, one in three school-age children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Childhood overweight and obesity have both immediate and long-term health outcomes. Increasingly, obese children are being diagnosed with a range of health conditions previously seen exclusively among adults, including diabetes, hypertension, and liver disease. Unfortunately, most obese children do not outgrow their weight problem. In fact, most people continue to gain weight as they age. Obesity in adulthood leads to hypertension, strokes, certain types of cancer, heart disease, liver disease and diabetes.
Studies have shown that food insecurity increases the odds of obesity in children and adults. Known as the hunger-obesity paradox, food insecure children are 5 times more likely to be obese. Factors contributing to the paradox include lower fruit and vegetable intake, more fast food and dietary fat intake, and reliance on ultra-processed foods.
The Program
The mission of the Nourish to Flourish program is to combat childhood obesity among food-insecure children. Our program combines essential nutrition education with access to healthy foods, aiming to empower children and create lasting change.
Our Approach
Over four transformative weeks, participants engage in our interactive 5-2-1-0 education program, focusing on:
- 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily
- 2 hours or less of screen time
- 1 hour of physical activity
- Minimizing sugar-sweetened beverages to as little as possible
Our results speak for themselves! Participants have shown increased nutrition knowledge, reduced sugary drink consumption, and improved eating habits, along with more active lifestyles.
What We Offer
Through cooking demonstrations, hands-on activities, and food baskets provided each week, we make learning fun and impactful. Each participant is assessed at the start and re-evaluated at 12 weeks to track progress and celebrate successes. All these benefits are provided at no cost to participants.
Enroll today to join this free program and help cultivate healthier lives for our children!
Additional Information
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How to Enroll
Click the "Enroll For Free Today" button below and complete the 2-minute questionnaire.
Jamie will personally reach out to answer any questions and to schedule a start date.
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How to access my Nourish to Flourish Materials
Once you have been officially enrolled, you will receive information and instructions on how to login to your free account which houses all the Nourish to Flourish materials.
Microsoft Teams can be accessed via desktop computer application, online browser, mobile cellphone or tablet.
Don't have a Microsoft Teams account?
Need to download the Microsoft Teams Application?
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Sample Lesson Curriculum
CURRICULUM
Nourish to Flourish
Week 1 - 65 minutes
Nutrition for sustained energy (Grains, Fruits, and Vegetables)Overview
- Introduction - 5 minutes
- Group Activity - 15 minutes
- Instruction and Discussion - 15 minutes
- Food demo and tasting - 15 minutes
- Conclusion - 10 minutes
- Departing “prize” giveaway baskets to participants - 5 minutes
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Nourish to Flourish Locations
These locations are currently participating in the Nourish to Flourish Program:
- Northwest Legends Elementary School
- The Bridge Learning Center BGC
- SA Hull Elementary School
- Clanzel Brown Community Center
- Celebration Boys and Girls Club
Contact Us
Jamie Marchio DCN, MSH, MBA, RD, LD/N
Visiting Instructor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Director, Center for Nutrition and Food Security
Brooks College of Health
Office: 39/3059
Email: jamie.marchio@unf.edu
Become a Partner
Join us as a Nourish to Flourish Partner and help expand the program’s impact! Organizations outside of the Jacksonville area will receive full access to our program materials, including curriculum guides, resources, and activity plans, as well as an initial consultation with a Nourish to Flourish implementation specialist to ensure successful program implementation at your facility.
Note: While the implementation toolkit and consultation are provided, supplies such as food, tools (e.g., scales), and other equipment are not included.
Register today to unlock these valuable resources and make a difference in children’s lives!
Already Enrolled?
Having touble accessing your Nourish to Flourish materials? Email jamie.marchio@unf.edu.