Northwood News ♦ June 2015

RFKM Wins ‘School Activist’ Azalea Award from Takoma Park

By Jacquie Bokow

On Sunday, May 17, the Takoma Foundation awarded Karen Devitt and Lindsey Parsons, cofounders of Real Food for Kids-Montgomery (RFKM), the Azalea Award for School Activist.  Devitt lives on Cavalier Drive.

Since beginning in 2012 with a meeting of parents who were concerned about the nutritional value of the meals in Montgomery County Public Schools, RFKM has built a coalition of more than 3,900 supporters, including parents representing 180 of the 202 schools in Montgomery County.  In addition, they have 60 official representatives to MCPS schools who are taking a leadership role in changing the food environment and policies at their children’s schools.

“About 1,700 residents in Greater Takoma voted for the Azalea nominees,” said Howard Kohn, Takoma Foundation Vice President, “and Lindsey and Karen received the highest number of votes.  I’m sure that voters were impressed not only by their positive, healthy agenda but by the fact they are making on strong impression on the powers-that-be.”

The Azalea Awards are given to friends and neighbors who have done so much to help the Takoma Park community be the place it is, and inspired us all to make it even better.  The 11th annual awards were given out at the Ed Wilhelm Field behind Piney Branch Elementary School as part of the Celebrate Takoma Festival on May 17th.

“We were very happy and thankful for this recognition of our work by the foundation and the people of Takoma Park,” said Devitt and Parsons.

RFKM’s mission is to mobilize parents, students, educators, and community members to promote policies, practices, and educational opportunities that improve the food environment and general health and well-being of students in the Montgomery County Public Schools.  Their vision is an MCPS system that serves and promotes real, whole, local, sustainable, and nutrient-rich foods for the student body.  RFKM conducts community-building, training and educational activities, and advocates for policies at the county, state, and federal level on nutrition, wellness, and school-food related topics.

For more information, contact RFKM at realfoodmcps at gmail dot com; www.realfoodforkidsmontgomery.org; 301.202.4812.

[Note:  This article was expanded from what appeared in the printed version of the newsletter.]   ■