A healthy diet is a vital aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, many families do not have healthy diets due to factors such as lack of accessibility, lack of education on the subject, and lack of opportunity to participate in healthy eating. It is part of New City Neighbors mission to provide these opportunities to students and families in Grand Rapids. In this curriculum, middle-school students will be exposed to healthy foods. These learning activities center around sources and recipes of sustainable and healthy food alternatives as well as food preservation. Our goal is for the students to become more mindful about where they are sourcing their diet, particularly in terms of health and sustainability.

Pickled foods are one of the best snacks you can ever have, and they are best made at home with some ingredients and patience. Your local farmers market should have the best cucumbers. They are at their best between May and August-- when they are in season. The many health benefits of pickles are beyond that of your normal snack. Pickles are filled with loads of good sodium, which can help fight off muscle cramps. They are also a popular option used to control blood-sugar levels and are dense in antioxidants (Pickles: Nutrition, benefits, risks, & preparation, n.d.). The best thing about them is that they can do all these wonderful things, and they taste delicious! Let’s begin!