Rhode Island Community Food Bank Association

Kids cafe serves wholesome evening meals to children at risk of hunger, supplementing school nutrition programs. During the year ended june 30, 2024, the food bank operated four kids cafe sites, serving an average of 352 children a day. Sites were located at the east providence boys and girls club, the pawtucket ymca, the pawtucket boys and girls club, and the segue institute for learning in central falls. Nearly 81,607 meals were provided to the four sites during the year ended june 30, 2024. Kids cafe meals were prepared by food bank chefs and healthy habits staff.

Healthy habits is a nutrition education program that works to bridge the gap between food insecurity and health for guests of member agencies by providing a combination of relevant, science-based community nutrition and culinary education. The food bank offers classes over 4-6 weeks, one-time workshops and demonstrations of healthy recipes and healthy eating habits. The food bank's nutrition educators conduct in-person classes that allowed individuals, families, children and seniors to learn about healthy eating. During the year ended june 30, 2024, nearly 182 people participated in fourteen 4-6 week series classes; 769 participated in one-time workshops; and 2,495 participated in in-person healthy bites and food demonstrations.