Focus on Food

 A church on the west side of Indianapolis will soon enter a battle against food insecurity.

The congregation on Saturday will celebrate the opening of a food pantry.

Over the past six months, church leaders and volunteers have partnered with local organizations to gain the skills and resources needed to support families in need, providing them with hope and practical assistance.

The International Church-Jesus Chris...

March marks National Nutrition Month, highlighting the importance of healthy meals for children both at home and in schools.

School nutrition programs play a crucial role in ensuring students receive nutritious meals that support their academic performance and overall well-being.

School nutrition programs also alleviate stress for families by reducing the financial burden of providing meals and ensuring that children receive...

Many Americans rely heavily on ultra-processed foods, which make up 60% of the average diet, posing potential health risks.

Ultra-processed foods, or UPFs, are industrially manufactured items like chips, packaged cookies, and sugary drinks that are high in added sugar and sodium. These foods often contain a long list of chemical ingredients and pack a lot of calories into small servings, making them easy to overeat. This ca...

As National Nutrition Month winds down, a local expert urges everyone to think internationally, too.

“If you think about it, food is something we all have in common,” Community Health Network Registered Dietitian Elilta Sawyers said. “From traditions to cultures to things that we pass down generation from generation. And so I think it’s important that we understand the benefits that we can all have when we kind of step outs...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it is ending two COVID-era programs that help schools and food banks purchase food from local suppliers and expand healthy eating options.

The USDA confirmed the cuts to News 8 on Thursday.

According to the School Nutrition Association (SNA), around $660 million in funds will be cut from the Local Food for Schools (LFS) and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement (LPEA...

An after-school program for aspiring chefs is looking for its next class of students. Applications for this year’s Junior Chef Academy are now open.

The Junior Chef Academy is for students 12 to 15 years old. The program was created to combat food insecurity by teaching kids how to work with fresh food.

According to Feeding America, one in seven Hoosiers face food insecurity.

Lead Chef Ross Katz says that by teaching kids kit...

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on heart health, and what better way to do that than through nutritious meals? Chanee Oginni, chef and director of food services at Chalet Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, stopped by the Daybreak kitchen to share a winning recipe designed to nourish both body and soul.

Oginni, who recently won a national competition for her heart-healthy stir-fry recipe, emphasized the ...

Inspired by his recent trip to Italy, International Jazz Pianist Pavel Polanco-Safadit was inspired to bring the taste of the Amalfi Coast back home to Indiana.

On Friday, Pavel came on “Life.Style.Live!” to show Host Felicia Michelle and Reporter Marlee Thomas to talk about his recent trip and show off a tasty Baked and Stuffed Shrimp recipe.

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Milk provides naturally occurring nutrition with vitamins and minerals. While formula can provide nutrition, it doesn’t give the infant’s immune system the same resources as human milk.

Indiana is one ranks among the top 10 worst states in the country for infant morality rates.

While public health leaders are zeroing in on how to help families increase odds of survival, The Milk Bank has provided an estimated 15 million feed...

A nonprofit focused on revitalizing the Northwest Landing neighborhood is up against a fundraising deadline for its newest project.

The Aspire Higher Foundation looks to raise $50,000 by 11 p.m. for a matching grant through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s “CreatINg Places” program.

Its latest campaign aims to kickstart the “Bloom + Brew Community Marketplace,” planned across the corner from the grou...

A “marathon” that fields no competitors, covers no miles, and has no finish line may not immediately seem like a candidate for success, but organizers of the the Million Meal Marathon say it is achieving exactly what they envisioned.

The Marathon is the signature event of the Million Meal Movement. Hintz co-founded the movement in 2007 with her husband, Dan.

The next Marathon is Feb. 5 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

If you volunte...

The owner of sMall Town Produce, Thomas Loudermilk, joined us to share how he provides fresh, locally grown produce to Hoosiers at his stand near the Greenwood Park Mall.

Loudermilk is a third generation farmer. His father raised him to grow produce, livestock, and hay. He began his farm in response to wanting to help his community, trying to help food insecurities.

A portion of the produce made at sMall Town Produce is dona...

If your grocery trips are starting to feel more expensive, but your bags are getting lighter, you’re not alone. Shrinkflation is when companies reduce the size of their products but keep prices the same. Director of Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability at Purdue University, Joe Balagtas, shared insights on how consumers can fight against this growing trend.

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The Indiana University Health Nutrition Hub at IU Health Methodist Hospital is having a profound impact on addressing nutrition security.

The Nutrition Hub has become a vital resource for families facing food insecurity. Among its patrons is Kellie Watson, who found support in April while managing health challenges like diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Nutrition Hub entered Watson’s life at a crucial moment. Access to h...

After years of service to the community, an Indianapolis food drive is celebrating 30 years of giving.

Rev. Richard Hunter and Martin University, with other partners in the community, are teaming up to help Hoosiers with the Christmas Help Program. This year is the 30th anniversary of the program.

Rev. Hunter joined Daybreak to share how they’re helping over 700 families.

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A new initiative in Indianapolis is working to address health and socio-economic disparities in five historic neighborhoods near IU Health’s new downtown hospital. The nonprofit Indy Health District Inc., in partnership with IU Health, local leaders, and community organizations, aims to transform these areas into healthier, more equitable communities.

The district includes Meridian Highland, Highland Vicinity, Crown Hill, R...