Apple Corps fights the root causes of obesity, malnutrition and hunger in underserved communities. We are a team of National Service Members guided by the belief that all people deserve to live healthful lives. In this work, Apple Corps collaborates with schools, community groups and local organizations to educate children about nutrition and physical activity, improve policies affecting child health, and connect families to health-promoting resources.
Now Hiring! Apple Corps AmeriCorps Members
Would you like to do some amazing work in your community and get paid doing it? Solid Ground is now hiring AmeriCorps Members to serve in our communities with the Apple Corps program. Positions work for health and social justice in a variety of roles, from educating kids about nutrition, gardening and physical activity to raising awareness of Safe Routes to Schools. These full-time positions are 10½ months long. Members receive a monthly stipend of $1,155 plus a $5,550 education award at the end of their year of service.
Please apply online at www.americorps.gov by June 3, 2013. Positions begin September 1, 2013. For more information, please call 206.694.6711 or email applecorps@solid-ground.org. People of color are encouraged to apply.
1) Eat Better, Feel Better – Apple Corps supports nutrition and physical activity programs, policies and partnerships at five Seattle Elementary Schools as a partner of the Eat Better, Feel Better Initiative. This program collaborates with the Seattle Nutrition Action Consortium (S.N.A.C.) to implement nutrition and fitness activities integral to a healthy school environment. Apple Corps:
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Educates students in the classroom through cross-curricular lessons (such as math, science, literacy and art), cooking demonstrations and taste tests.
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Involves parents through family-oriented activities.
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Implements school wellness policies.
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Provides structured recess activities and other fitness-based programming.
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Leads school gardening initiatives.
Schools Partnering with the Eat Better, Feel Better Initiative include: Concord, Emerson, Maple, John Muir and Van Asselt.
2) Mission: Delicious – Apple Corps coordinates this school-based assembly-style program with additional classroom and take-home elements. This program was developed in partnership with Cooking Matters, S.N.A.C. and Seattle Public Schools. Offered at elementary schools throughout the Seattle area, Mission: Delicious teaches students food preparation skills and the importance of eating a well-balanced diet through fun, interactive programming. Elementary schools that report 50% or more students enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program are eligible for this program.
3) After-school Programs – Apple Corps creates opportunities for nutrition education and fitness by implementing activities and lessons in after-school programs and community centers. These programs teach young people about healthy eating for a lifetime through cooking demonstrations, nutrition education and a physical education component.
Apple Corps places National Service Members in community organizations dedicated to eliminating health disparities for underserved children and families throughout Seattle and King County. For 2011/2012, we have placed members in the following three Seattle organizations:
1) Lettuce Link, a program of Solid Ground, is an innovative food and gardening program that has been growing and giving since 1988. The program creates access to fresh, nutritious and organic produce, seeds and gardening information for low-income families in Seattle. We work to educate the community about food security and sustainable food production. The Apple Corps Member helps Lettuce Link expand the availability of fresh, locally grown produce in food banks and meal programs by developing systems and support that enable more community gardeners and fruit tree owners to raise and donate produce.
2) Feet First is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advocacy organization promoting walkable communities in Washington State, with a focus on the Puget Sound Region. Founded in 1996 to promote the rights and interests of pedestrians and to encourage walking, they help people take simple steps to creating better places to live, learn, shop, work and play – a world that cares about health, community and design. The two Apple Corps Members serve to improve the lives of adults and children in their neighborhoods through the Safe Routes to School and Neighborhood Walking Ambassador programs.
3) Danny Woo International District Community Garden – Interim CDA is a special urban agricultural site in the heart of downtown Seattle, and the largest green space in the Chinatown/International District. The 1.5-acre garden provides community gardening space, picnic benches, public art, and walking trails. Interim CDA manages this urban space, coordinating hundreds of volunteers every year to maintain and improve the Danny Woo Community Garden for everyone to enjoy. The Apple Corps Member serves to support the existing garden programs and develop new youth-focused programs.
4) SW Boys & Girls Club / White Center Heights Elementary: In partnership, these agencies work to serve children and their families in the White Center Heights neighborhood. The Boys & Girls Club offers a safe, fun, inclusive and inspiring place that kids and their families count on every day. The Apple Corps Member addresses the root causes of hunger, food insecurity, obesity and poor health in children and families in Seattle and King County. The Member also actively engages students in physical activity, teaches new games and leads play activities, supports a learning community around the value of active play, and strengthens the partnership between the SW Boys & Girls Club and the White Center Heights Elementary staff and parent community.
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Hunger Intervention Program (HIP): HIP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks to end hunger in Seattle by collaborating with community partners. HIP has been engaged in providing food access to the local community for more than 15 years. HIP continues to work to distribute food to those who need it most with an increased focus on cooking and nutrition education. HIP’s programs include a weekend food backpack program for kids and food bank cooking demonstrations. The Apple Corps Member plays an integral role at HIP, providing direct services to the Lake City and greater North Seattle communities. The Member also participates in the Healthy HIP Packs program and cooking demonstrations as well as other organization activities.
Past partners include:
- Volunteer! For more info about our current volunteer needs, please contact us at applecorps@solid-ground.org.
- Donate gift cards! Apple Corps happily accepts gift cards from QFC, Safeway, or any Seattle grocery store that allows flexible purchasing of healthy fruits, vegetables and cooking products. To donate, contact applecorps@solid-ground.org.
- Apply for AmeriCorps! Apple Corps Members are provided through the Washington Service Corps.
- In addition to the Apple Corps program, Solid Ground coordinates several National Service programs with more than 100 stipended positions throughout Seattle & King County.
- Apple Corps brochure
- Community Vitality: This interactive website (created through a partnership between Magic Johnson and Apple Corps supporter, Aetna) includes a lot of great information – such fast food calorie counts, lower-fat alternatives to them, and healthy recipes.
Apple Corps Recipes
NEW RECIPE! Green Smoothies: Can you guess what makes it green?
Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple juice
- 1 cup plain low fat yogurt
- 1 cup frozen berries, or other frozen fruit
- 1 banana (frozen if desired)
- Spinach (until the smoothie turns as green as you like!)
Preparation:
1) In a blender, add juice, yogurt, berries, and banana.
2) Blend together.
3) Add spinach and blend until it gets really green!
4) Pour into cups and enjoy!
Green Smoothie Nutrition Information
Green Smoothies are a great way to get children and adults to eat healthy leafy green
vegetables like spinach.
- Spinach – Spinach has more nutrients than any other food. It is high in vitamin A, B12, C and K. It also has lots of manganese, iron and folate. Because it has so many nutrients, it helps protect our bodies from many diseases like osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, arthritis.
- Blueberries – Blueberries are high in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. They boost the immune system and prevent damage to cells that cause health problems such as glaucoma, heart disease and cancer.
- Bananas – Bananas are a good source of vitamin B6, potassium and vitamin C. They are good for your immune system as well as your blood and circulatory system and have been shown to reduce high blood pressure.
- Yogurt – Yogurt is a very good source of calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin-vitamin B2, iodine and protein. It is good for you muscles and bones. It also helps lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol.
Phone: 206.694.6711
TTY: 7.1.1
Email: applecorps@solid-ground.org
FAX: 206.694.6777
Address: Apple Corps
Solid Ground
1501 North 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103-6708