By Jason Von Kundra from Sprouting Hope in Marion, VA

The Family Fitness Challenge is an innovative, wellness program for qualifying families to engage in a variety of fitness and nutrition activities including cooking classes, gardening workshops, healthy grocery shopping on a budget, free blood work, physical exercise and games. After two successful programs in Chilhowie and Sugar Grove, we are expanding to Saltville! The classes will be held Monday nights 6:00-7:30pm April 27th through May 18th at the Saltville First Church of God. Call 496-5242 to sign up. Enrollment is up to 15 families, one parent and one child ages five to fifteen.

The Nutrition Action Network is organizing the program as a network of community leaders. Sprouting Hope will be teaching participants about organic gardening techniques, the benefits of buying locally, the basics of cooking with herbs, and sharing affordable recipes using produce in season.