A Santa Cruz Nonprofit Building Healthier Generations
Nourishing Generations is a 501c3 nonprofit that that is dedicated to educating and motivating children, families, and community members of all ages about cooking and eating a healthy, whole foods diet, and enjoying regular exercise in order to maximize optimal health and minimize disease.
The Current Health of the Young Generation
What Inspires Nourishing Generations
2%
Of children in the U.S. eat a healthy diet.
70%
Of obese children already have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
4x
The rate at which obesity has increased for children ages 6 to 11 since the early 1970s.
The NG Team
Sharing Our Expertise
The Nourishing Generations Team is a professional group of nutritionists, chefs, teachers, and skilled community volunteers dedicated to inspiring positive diet and lifestyle changes through education.
Since 2011, our amazing Team have shared their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm with program participants - elementary school children, teens, parents, seniors, and women on the cancer journey.
Our Journey to a Healthier Future
Timeline
2008 - Started our organization as Kidz for Health under the nonprofit umbrella of Bauman College presenting programs in Santa Cruz elementary schools.
2011 - Became Nourishing Generations Educational Project, a 501c3 nonprofit.
2012 - Began offering programs for children at Mid-Pen affordable housing community sites.
2015 - Began working with transition-age foster youth in collaboration with Encompass Community Services.
2018 - Started our program with women on the cancer journey in collaboration with WomenCARE.
2019 - We presented more programs than ever involving over 400 participants.
2020 - Transitioned our program to distanced learning in response to the Covid crisis, presenting education through Zoom classes and series of cooking videos.
2023 - We fully returned to in-person classes and presented a record number of classes. We also began our brand new Seniors program.
Our Nutrition and Cooking Programs
All of our programs focus on nutrition and culinary education providing the knowledge and skills for a lifetime of healthy eating.
Children
Since 2011
We offer hands-on dynamic classes for children that encompass nutrition education, healthy food preparation, culinary skills, and fun fitness activities all led by certified nutrition consultants, natural chefs, and fitness trainers. Our programs are offered in elementary schools, affordable housing communities, and recreation centers.
Women on the Cancer Journey
Since 2018
This program is a collaboration with the nonprofit, WomenCARE, for women on the cancer journey. Our classes share nutrition information about eating strategies before, during, and after cancer treatment to help one stay nourished and hydrated and assist in managing common side effects of treatment.
Transition-Age Foster Youth
Since 2015
We work with transition-age foster youth in collaboration with Encompass Community Services. We are excited to be providing this program to assist young adults transitioning out of foster care to learn about nutrition and the planning, shopping for, and cooking healthy meals.
Seniors
Since 2023
Our newest program is for seniors at St Stephen’s affordable senior housing in Santa Cruz. This program combines nutrition education, healthy cooking demos, and fun social time. The participants learn how healthy eating will help them improve and maintain their strength and health. We also include some gentle exercises – tai chi and qigong – to emphasize the benefits of exercise and strength management.
Our Team of Nutritionists and Culinary Professionals
Here at Nourishing Generations Educational Project, we are driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a healthier place for all. NG's Team is led by certified nutrition consultants, natural chefs, and fitness trainers. We are linking professionals and community members to bring about needed positive change that will help reverse the rising trend of childhood and adult obesity and diabetes, as well as other preventable chronic lifestyle diseases.
Kind Words About Our Programs
Our Sponsors
Join Us at Nourishing
Generations Educational Project
Here at Nourishing Generations Educational Project, we’re committed to investing our expertise and resources in order to bring about positive change in the health of our community’s most at-risk children, youth, adults, and seniors.
Since 2011, our Team, led by professional holistic nutritionists, natural chefs, and fitness instructors have shared their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for healthy cooking and eating and regular exercise, to help reduce the incidence of obesity, diabetes, and other preventable lifestyle-related diseases.
Education is key to the process of improving the health of the community. This is a big job and it takes the help of folks like you. Just imagine what we can achieve together!
