To celebrate National Nutrition Month, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community-WIC and Public Health held a Sap ep Ka:k (“good food” in O’odham) event at the Accelerated Learning Academy gym on March 7.

The event was originally planned to take place outside but was moved indoors due to inclement weather.

In total there were 108 participants, comprising 17 families and 45 individuals. Thirty-two of the participants were SRPMIC members and 14 were WIC clients.

The goal of National Nutrition Month, established in 1973 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is to help individuals and families make informed food choices and promote healthful eating habits. Participants visited information booths specializing in nutrition and tried a variety of healthy foods and beverages. There was also a cooking demonstration hosted by Salt River Schools Food Services.

Community Health and Nutrition Supervisor Maggie Fisher, MS, RDN, CDCES, said that the cooking demonstration was only possible because River People Health Center and Public Works staff were able to transport the kitchen cart from the RPHC to the gym.

“The experience showed how teamwork is truly vital for Community events to be successful,” said Fisher.