Benefit walk/run, health fair March 1.
NORTHAMPTON –March is National Nutrition Month, and that means the first Saturday of the month is the step-off date for The Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association 5K Run/Walk, beginning and ending at The Garden House at Look Park.
“People are being squeezed more and more and don’t have resources for healthy eating,” said Paula J. Serafino-Cross, a member of the association and acting public relations coordinator.
The association of about 100 Western Massachusetts dietitians is concerned about food insecurity, and raises money to help needy persons access healthy food.
According the the website of the United States Department of Agriculture, "An estimated 14.5 percent of American households were food insecure at least some time during the year in 2012, meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members."
In Massachusetts, from 2010 to 2012, some 11.4 percent of households were food insecure. Between 2006 and 2008 in the commonwealth, this figure was 8.3 percent.
The event—which includes a health fair—takes place on March 1. The association is again partnering with The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, which provides individuals facing hunger with food needed to survive, and leads communities toward long-term solutions to the problem of hunger in the region. Serving the four counties of Western Massachusetts, the Food Bank is the leading provider of emergency food that reaches individuals and families with lower incomes.
Every dollar contributed to the food bank provides $9 worth of food to the needy, Serafino-Cross said.
Since its first walk/run in 1993, the association has raised more than $27,000 and hundreds of pounds of food that have been distributed to charitable organizations and food agencies to help area people.
The health fair component at The Garden House runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; it will include local food, cooking demonstrations and chair massage.
The run/walk steps off at 11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in all age categories, and nutritious snacks will be available after the race.
“What’s nice about this race is it’s at Look Park, off the roads, and great for families to participate,” Serafino-Cross said.
She hopes about 250 runners and walkers will participate.
Last year the event raised $6,600 for the Food Bank, and she hopes to raise even more this year.
“We need to make good, healthy food more available,” she said.
The registration fee is $20; register online at www.racewire.com or print a form at www.wamda.org. Race day registration is $25.
T-shirts will be awarded to pre-registered participants; the pre-registration deadline is Feb. 21.
To learn more about The Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association go to www.wamda.org. For more information about the Food Bank, go to www.foodbankwma.org.