The health of the next generation depends on the nutrition of girls and young women today. New research has shown that malnutrition in the womb changes the structure and function of the body for life, and makes people vulnerable to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as other diseases and illnesses. A mother’s capacity to nourish her baby is built up by good nutrition throughout her life.
The Marion County Public Health Department Nutrition Services provides individual and group nutrition education for all ages and stages of the lifecycle.
Resources
Women, Infants, and Children’s Program (WIC)
WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition information, supplemental foods and referrals to health and social services to eligible pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age five.
https://marionhealth.org/programs/population-health/adolescent-health/
Food and Consumer Safety
Provides food safety educations.
http://marionhealth.org/programs/environmental-health/food-and-consumer-safety-2/
Chronic Disease Program
Strives to help people develop and maintain healthy lifestyles through a variety of educational programs.
http://marionhealth.org/programs/population-health/chronic-disease/
Summer Meals in Your Community
Nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer
FoodPantries.Org
Find local pantries, soup kitchens, food shelves, food banks and other food help. https://www.foodpantries.org/ci/in-indianapolis
Gleaners
Leading the fight against hunger in Indiana by distributing food to more than 250 partner agencies in 21 Indiana counties: food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. Gleaners also provides direct services to those struggling with hunger, through programs such as BackSacks: Weekend Food for Kids, School-Based Pantry, C.A.R.E. Mobile Pantry, and Community Cupboard.
https://www.gleaners.org/
SNAP
Provides food assistance to low and no income people and families.
https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/snap-food-assistance/