Fresh produce now on the menu at Nationals Youth Baseball Academy

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The Washington Nationals now offer children something more than lessons at their Youth Baseball Academy — the kids and their families can also shop there for fresh produce.

The complex is the latest location of a Healthy Corners.

“Food is a fundamental need that every human being has,” said Tal Alter, CEO of the Washington Nationals Philanthropies.

The organization teamed up with DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) to offer fresh produce in an area absent of large grocery stores.

“People living in this neighborhood do not have walkable access to a place where they can source those items,” Alter said. “So it’s a need.”

The newest Healthy Corner location gives families in Ward 7 a place to buy the fruit and vegetables at wholesale prices every day the camp is open for business. It’s an expansion of the program that hands out a bag of produce to families in need on Mondays and Wednesdays.

“We also know that food is medicine,” said Ja’Sent Brown, chief impact officer with DCCK.

Currently, DCCK has 56 healthy corners set up around the District in the hopes that the fresh produce will improve the health of people in the area.

“What we know about this area is that there is a 21 year difference in life expectancy compared to other parts of the city,” Brown said.

According to DCCK, people tend to live longer when they have easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

The latest healthy corners not only gets nutritious food to families who need it, it also teaches them what to do with it. Young students are invited to come and improve their culinary skills, as they learn to cook healthier meals at home for them and their families.

“It’s good actually. Really like it,” said one of the participant, Camor. “I do it a lot at home.”

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