New position created in WNC to support childhood nutrition

From the press release:

Swannanoa, NC (May 8, 2012) –In 2008, just as Michelle Obama was entering the White House in Washington, DC, a childcare center in the mountains of Western North Carolina was developing a way to bring quality nutrition to their young children by using the colors of the rainbow as a guide. Now they are investing in a director for the program to offer the model nationwide.

After four years, Mountain Area Child and Family Center (MACFC), an early care and education center of distinction in Asheville, NC, has taken their model nutrition program Rainbow in my TummyTM to other centers in the WNC region, and is investing in a new position to support and grow the program regionally and across the nation.

“We researched and found hundreds of nutrition program models for elementary schools and none for children ages birth to 5,” says Jacque Penick, Executive Director of MACFC. “We are committed to nutrition for young children and proud to invest in the health of children outside of our center by investing in and growing our program.”

MACFC is conducting a search for an experienced professional to take Rainbow in my TummyTM, (RIMT) to a regional and national audience. A new position, the Program Director will strategize, package and promote RIMT as the model early childhood nutrition and obesity prevention program in the nation. The successful candidate will embrace a healthy lifestyle and enjoy developing partnerships, as well as have experience with business and program development. The application deadline is June 15. For the full job description and application information: www.macfc.org

Rainbow in my TummyTM is a proven obesity prevention program providing young children access to a wide variety of tasty and nutritious foods that support their developing minds and bodies. Created in 2008, the program is designed to provide preschoolers with meals that contain no trans-fats or high fructose corn syrup and only appropriate amounts of sugar and salt. Rainbow in my Tummy focuses on whole foods for the child and provides recipes and education for the family. http://www.rainbowinmytummy.com/

Program Goal
The program goal is to prevent obesity through healthy nutrition awareness and consumption when tastes are first formed by exposing children to healthy, nutritious food that will promote lifelong preferences for fresh, non-processed food choices, and support brain development.

A Model for Other Centers
Mountain Area Child and Family Center is a model for other early care centers and provides consulting services to help create Rainbow in my TummyTM programs around the region. Introducing partner centers to a multi-tiered food policy approach inspires the desire for change, and provides the “how to” guidance and expertise for early care and education programs to implement change towards a healthier food service program.