The Return of
by Leigha Staffenhagen
In August of 2023, one of the organizations shoppers could support through our Tokens for Tomorrow program was The Real Food Show. In December, the funds were put to good (and fun) use when we sponsored two shows in Skagit for first time since 2019. The Real Food Show is an entertaining elementary school assembly designed to educate and inspire children in our community to make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Developed by our friends at Community Food Co-op in Bellingham in 2014, along with members of the Bellingham Circus Guild, the Real Food Show teaches kids about basic nutrition and exercise through a series of comedic acts, unicycling, juggling, and other goofy circus skills. The shows are performed at no cost to the school, offered free through co-op sponsorships, and this time, your Tokens for Tomorrow. The number of performances in Western Washington now total over 125, with an audience of more than 35,000 kids. We have sponsored 20 shows in Skagit Valley, reaching over 8,000 local students. During COVID, the Real Food Show was filmed in its entirety, so children throughout Western Washington could enjoy a circus show with a positive healthy-eating message during socially-distanced learning. As kids slowly made their way back to the classroom, and we started putting our feelers out for more community outreach opportunities, we knew it was time to share The Real Food Show message with a new crop of students. So in December, Kinder–5th Grade students packed into both the Jefferson Elementary gym and Little Mountain Elementary cafeteria, where some students attended their first assembly in nearly 4 years! Between the juggling of tennis racquets, the balancing of stacks of protein, and the riding of unicycles, kids were both entertained and educated about the importance of reading labels, eating a well-rounded, nutritious breakfast, and how to make exercise fun. We are happy to revive our sponsorship of The Real Food Show, and as a shopper, this is one more way you’re giving back to the community when you choose to vote with your dollars at the Co-op. Through education, community engagement and your support, we hope to continue inspiring young people to eat real food for a better future for food and for people. Interested in bringing the Real Food Show to your school? Send us an email at: community@skagitfoodcoop.com Performers Frank & Beans (real names Wren & Keelia)
Meet the 1st Quarter Tokens for Tomorrow Groups!
With Tokens for Tomorrow, every time you bring in a reusable shopping bag, we honor your commitment to reducing waste with a token worth 8¢ that you can give back to one of these local organizations:
Anacortes Music Project
Skagit Animals in Need
Anacortes Music Project is a volunteer-run, community-driven organization committed to the support and development of musicians of all ages. AMP cultivates opportunities for people to come together and be part of creating something greater than the sum of its parts.
SAIN is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming large animals and livestock seized in neglect and cruelty cases, or released to animal control or law enforcement.
AMP is inspired by the full spectrum of music and creative energy in Anacortes, and welcomes all ages and all walks of life to contribute to the musical culture of the town.
Once in SAIN custody, the animal is placed with a safe foster home, a medical and behavioral assessment is performed, and rehabilitation begins. Once the animal is at a healthy weight and up to date on medical care, it is made available for adoption to loving homes.
Triumph Teen Life Center
Skagit Valley Early Learning Center
Triumph Teen Life Center creates safe spaces where teens are encouraged to thrive. The Triumph approach to youth support is holistic, where all teens receive free support ranging from tutoring and peer counseling to family food pantries to access to fun after-school activities derived from a place of deep-rooted understanding for the challenges our teens and their families experience daily.
Skagit Valley Early Learning Center’s mission is to create a safe and welcoming space for all the children it serves. Their childcare program is one of the few bilingual programs in Skagit County, and one of the only programs that aids teachers in achieving Early Childhood Education Degrees or other relative continuing education certificates.
SKAGIT VALLEY FOOD CO-OP • THE NATURAL ENQUIRER • JANUARY – MARCH 2024
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