Building a Healthier

Community

Fun with Food to Improve Nutrition

MSU-Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative’s Nutrition team works with many partners to improve nutrition access, education, and healthy eating behaviors for children and families in Genesee County.

Fruit & Vegetable
Prescription Program

Flint Kids Cook

Healthy Recipes

What's New?

New research finds that Flint Kids Cook is improving household food environment and food security

June 2026 – Research published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health found that Flint Kids Cook is not only impacting youth who take the class but also their entire household. Caregivers reported improvements in household food security and greater consideration of nutrition when planning and preparing home meals.

Flint Kids Cook graduates tour the Mott Culinary Arts Institute

May 2026 – A group of Flint Kids Cook graduates toured the Mott Community College Culinary Arts Institute in downtown Flint. We learned about the culinary arts program, walked through the facility, and decorated treats with melted chocolate in one of the culinary labs.

New research on healthcare provider experiences with the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program

April 2026 – New research published in BMC Nutrition reports healthcare provider experiences with the Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program. Providers and staff perceived the program to have numerous benefits, including improving no-show rates and encouraging patients to eat healthy.

Fresh Voices

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The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program gives my kids the opportunity to try different fruits and vegetables like starfruit, asparagus, and eggplant. It teaches them healthier choices.
Caregiver of Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Participant

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During pregnancy you need fruits and vegetables, but they’re expensive. To be able to go to a doctor's appointment and to get a fruit and vegetable prescription for free, I think that was really good.
Prenatal Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Participant

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The Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program is a great way to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our patients!
Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Pediatrician

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It has been really fun giving kids their own ‘money’ to pick out fruits and vegetables. It has opened their eyes to vegetables and fruit to snack on.
Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program Pediatrician

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My favorite part of Flint Kids Cook was cooking, learning new recipes, and making friends along the way! It also inspired me to be a chef.
Flint Kids Cook Youth Participant

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I liked getting to learn from a chef.
Flint Kids Cook Youth Participant

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Flint Kids Cook helped my daughter develop essential cooking skills, boosted her confidence in the kitchen, and encouraged healthier eating habits. She also learned about teamwork, responsibility, and the importance of nutrition in a fun, hands-on environment.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant

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My kids looked forward to Flint Kids Cook every week!! I am also grateful because this is something they've been asking to do for years and has been out of reach due to cost.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant

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The class gave my son more independence to cook his own meals at home instead of me always preparing something. He's better involved in the grocery shopping as well.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant

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The class has been a great opportunity for my son to learn essential life skills and become more independent. His newfound confidence has been a great asset in his everyday life.
Caregiver of Flint Kids Cook Participant