SA Food Bank hosts 5th annual Nutrition Summit

SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Food Bank on Wednesday hosted its fifth annual Nutrition Summit.

More than 200 health care workers, social workers, nutrition practitioners, community leaders, early childhood educators and school teachers gathered to learn innovative ways to promote healthy food practices.

"I see a lot of problems students -- showing up to school with a lot of fast food or bagged food or processed food," said Scott Albach, a Harlandale Independent School District teacher.

Research shows that in Bexar County there are more than 103,000 children deemed food insecure, which means they don't have consistent food for an active, healthy lifestyle.

"San Antonio is notoriously known for high rates of heart disease, obesity. These are all nutrition issues. These are side affects of not having access to good nutrition," Food Bank President Eric Cooper said. "If we want San Antonio to be a healthy place, we need three things: People getting access to good nutrition, all of us staying physically active and all of us taking some time to be mindful."

Cooper said providing residents with healthy options is key, but he stressed that hunger doesn't take a break and donations are needed more than ever.

"We literally feed 58,000 people a week and make sure they get access to healthy food. And 40 percent of what we distribute is fresh produce, so for folks who want to get involved and donate, we really need the help," he said.