What Is Kids in the Kitchen?

The Junior League of Peoria will lead the second annual Junior League's Kids in the Kitchen event. This initiative is designed to address the growing issues of childhood obesity and poor nutrition at the grassroots level. Our League has a history of involvement in important community issues, and this initiative builds on our heritage, as well as the heritage of the 106 year old Junior League movement. Since 1970, the number of overweight children ages 6 to 11 has tripled. Increases in Type 2 diabetes among children may be one of the first consequences. By promoting family health through innovative programming, this initiative builds on a Junior league tradition of improving childhood nutrition, which started with our founder, Mary Harriman.

We hosted the 2008 event at Valeska Hinton Early Childhood Center on Tuesday, March 18th. Fifty first grade students participated in a fun-filled afternoon. Activities promoted healthy food and exercise choices as they moved through work stations hosted by League members and community partners and volunteers. The program was very well received in the community last year and we look forward to another fantastic event in 2009!