Clinic to host ‘Homegrown Health Event’ for kids

Dignity Health Woodland Clinic will be hosting a free “Homegrown Health Event” for kids in the community on Earth Day Saturday, April 22 in Woodland.

The 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. event will take place in the clinic’s parking lot located at 2081 Bronze Star Dr.

Kids will be given their own vegetable plant — provided by the clinic’s pediatric department and Woodland Community College — and learn about growing their own food, according to a clinic press release.

“Dignity Health Woodland Clinic pediatricians and nutritionists will demonstrate how to make healthy nutrition choices through games, healthy recipes and presentations,” the release emphasized.

A taqueria stand will also be onsite serving tacos during the event, according to the release.

“Kids will eat more fruits and vegetables if they grow the plants themselves,” Samuel Siegel, a pediatrician with the clinic and event organizer, said. “It’s important that kids learn about healthy eating early on to help avoid picking up unhealthy habits, decreasing their risk of developing childhood obesity.”

The release noted that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “1 in 5 children in the United States are affected by childhood obesity.”

“Many different factors can contribute to childhood obesity including access to nutritional foods,” the release continued. “The link between learning to grow food and a decreased risk of childhood obesity is an increase in consumption of fresh produce.”

Pots and soil dontated by C.L. Smith Landscape Materials and Tractor Supply Company will be available for those who do not have a space at home to plant their vegetables.

For more information and event details, visit the event’s Facebook page at fb.me/e/5eBkKStPt.

Woodland Clinic, a service of Dignity Health Medical Foundation, is a multi-specialty clinic with seven locations in Woodland and Davis.