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Article

Inspiring Food Literacy and Healthy Eating Habits in Children Through FH4Inclusion

January 26, 2023
By Rhea Bartlett and Brittney Plaskett

Sacramento, California is the Farm-to-Fork capital of the world, yet 58% of Sacramento kids rely on free and reduced lunch programs. Our current food system is taking a toll on our health and our kids’ health, but that’s where Food Literacy Center (FLC) and FleishmanHillard’s FH4Inclusion efforts make a difference. How? By inspiring kids to eat their vegetables.

In 2016, Amber Stott, FLC’s founder and Chief Food Genius approached FleishmanHillard’s Sacramento office with the possibility of partnering on a pro bono basis. As an office with a passion for food and a love for their city, it was a perfect match. Since then, we’ve been supporting FLC through ongoing communications support and events large and small.

FLC teaches elementary students in low-income neighborhoods fruit and veggie appreciation, cooking skills, how to read nutrition labels and the environmental impact of their food choices with a curriculum that’s fun for kids. With FleishmanHillard’s communication expertise, strategic planning and graphic design support, FLC is changing lives in the local community, and with hopes to reach the nation.

Our Sacramento team provides valuable support across FLC’s programs and initiatives. Twice a year, we promote their Kids Farmers Market to the community through the local press. In addition to promoting key moments such as Big Day of Giving and Giving Tuesday. In 2021, Amber started a podcast titled “Raising Kale” featuring conversations with movers and shakers across the food industry, including educators, chefs, farmers, food-equity advocates and community partners with whom FleishmanHillard assisted in connecting and coordinating. Most recently, our design team created a video celebrating FLC’s 10th anniversary.

In late 2021, FLC received the keys to their brand new self-titled facility that will be home to their cooking school. Previously, the nonprofit operated out of a small portable building. Now they have a 4,500 square foot space on 2.5 acres of land for their day-to-day operations. This new space can host about 30 students for cooking classes and includes a prep kitchen for staff and volunteers to prep food for after-school programs at Title 1 schools, as well as a space to host programs open to the community.

In October 2022, FLC hosted the grand opening of its new facility. For this momentous occasion, FleishmanHillard provided strategic and tactical expertise in media relations, ultimately resulting in broadcast coverage for the event and interviews with three major local news stations. Additionally, we staffed the event to assist in media coordination, event coordination and event photography.

The organization recently announced that they received major funding to construct the Food Literacy Center farm right outside of their new facility. As FLC grows, our office will continue to provide public relations expertise to highlight the positive impact of food literacy programs and underscore the importance of food and nutrition education for children in the Sacramento region. Undoubtedly, the FLC will become a place in the community where students and their families can build their skills and knowledge to live happier and healthier lives.