The Food Trust HYPE Youth Summit

On November 5, 2014 The Food Trust HYPE program held its annual youth leadership summit at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. The HYPE campaign, which stands for Healthy You, Positive Energy, works with public school students across Philadelphia to ignite healthy change in their schools and communities. HYPE helps students become leaders and role models for eating healthy and exercising in their schools, communities, and families. At the HYPE Youth Summit, middle school students from across the city gathered to create action plans for bringing healthy change to their schools. Sterlen Barr, a health educator and motivational rap artist, and his dance group Special EFX spoke with the students about making healthy choices and being a leader. Mr. Barr and Special EFX performed their dance routine, rapped about making health choices, and also got the students up and dancing.

The Food Trust works to improve access to health food and nutritional awareness across Philadelphia. The organization works in schools, corner stores, community centers, and supermarkets. It also organizes several farmers markets throughout Philadelphia and the wonderful roving Night Market that has popped up in several Philadelphia neighborhoods. In addition, The Food Trust uses research to advocate for policy changes at several levels of government. The Food Trust is also a partner of Mayor Michael Nutter’s health initiative, Get Healthy Philly.

Thanks to Gustavo Garcia for shooting second camera.