The Youth Regional Team

Youth are leaders in NE Iowa FFI

From FFI's inception, youth leadership and youth/adult partnerships have been central to our work. Seven youth participated in the first Systems Thinking work session where we created the FFI purpose, values, and vision. Youth comprise one-third of the Regional Leadership Team and formed a Youth Regional Team. Over 200 students are actively working on FFI in 16 schools.

Youth are ready to lead implementation, as evidenced by their work during the first phase of FFI.

• The Youth Team designed and implemented a one-day workshop, "Highway to Health", attracting 111 high school students from 11 school districts and16 teacher/coaches in April 2009.
• A second Youth Conference was held in November 2009 with over 180 youth from 16 schools attending. Youth led sessions on policy advocacy, nutrition, and wellness.
  
• High school youth taught K-6 children about healthy eating and active living, generated energy for engagement across the age range of youth, and developed youth-adult partnership models in our schools.
  
• Clayton Ridge, North Winn and Decorah Youth Teams assisted with Go The Distance days at their schools this Spring.
  
• Riceville youth worked on the Walk & Roll to School Day and a Bike Rodeo.
  
• Two FFI youth served as Youth Advocates for the Iowa Food Policy Council meeting in Des Moines.
• Team members wrote the job description for an adult youth coordinator,interviewed candidates, and hired the coordinator.
  
• Youth wrote jobdescriptions for adult coaches and recruited adults they believe bestserve in this role.

Youth are vital to the work of Food & Fitness. They offer new and profound perspectives on how to improve our food and fitness environments.