For the past 10 years, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) has played an integral role in helping BGCB’s members live healthy lifestyles. This life-changing partnership began when HPHC challenged us to take a more holistic approach to helping our members live healthy lifestyles, and provided funding for a Wellness Coordinator to lead the charge. In more recent years, they funded a partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health to create even more broad evidence-based policies to help further our efforts.
Now, the focus of the HPHC partnership has turned to providing access to fresh produce and teaching our kids and their families how to prepare nutritious meals with the food. With support from the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation and the Himmel Hospitality Group, seven of our Clubs have their own gardens. Club members grow, taste and cook fresh vegetables, take cooking classes with their families and even “assist” chefs at the Himmel restaurants. There’s also a family dinner series where families eat together and get free produce and recipes to take home.
Today, our health and wellness programs are stronger than ever, and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care continues to help us improve nutritious food access and education for our members and their families. We couldn’t provide the breadth and depth of our programming without the help of partners like HPHC. With their help, we are able to improve the health and well-being of the 17,000 youth we serve and help build a healthier Boston.
