Yummy Yummy Smoothies

Yummy, Yummy Smoothie in my Tummy

The Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) became the big 2-0 in 2019. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Club has partnered with the Montrose Daily Press on a special project; to bring to the readers of the Press an article each week to highlight various aspects of the Club and show the impact it has had in Montrose & Olathe. The readers will get insight from current parents, former Club kids, current Club kids, past Club staff, and more. So join us each week as we show why “Great Futures Start Here!”

I am a self-proclaimed foodie. I love to cook and watch cooking shows (insert Gordon Ramsey shout out here). I love to learn about different cultural cuisine and I love to try new things. I love to garden and figure out how to incorporate the produce into meals. But, let’s be real, I love to eat period. From a fancy meal with multiple courses at a non-profit gala to a delicious donut from the local shop, I love all food. Luckily, I married someone who also loves to eat as is witness to the two pants sizes we have gained simultaneously since getting married (love you honey!). However, I also know the importance of food in our lives; healthy meals and snacks that allow us to work, play, live, and thrive. This is particularly important for our local children.

The Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) serves each child a snack after school during the school session as well as breakfast, lunch, and a snack during the summer sessions. The Club is lucky to have a wonderful partnership with the Food Bank of the Rockies who helps to supply us with quality nutritious foods for our kids to eat. One thing we serve the kids is milk (except for those lactose intolerant/vegan children). It was interesting because both staff at the Club Units and the Food Bank alike were noticing a decrease in the amount of kids interested in drinking milk; it simply just was not appealing to them. About three months ago, both organizations started talking about this shift in tastes and how to bring the kids back around to be being interested in milk. Around this time we were discussing what to do, a state grant became available revolving around the development of a local program at non-profits that promotes healthy eating for children. Both organizations realized we could apply for this grant together and utilize the milk in smoothies. This would entice kids to not only drink milk but also fruit (more nutrition!) and if we developed a make your own smoothie bar, the kids could learn how to make this nutritious treat themselves.

Early in the game, we were lucky to sit down and chat with one of my favorite smoothie purveyors, The Looney Bean. They provided advice on different blender types, which one was easiest to operate, which one was quietest, which one could handle the volume of smoothies and keep going, which one was easiest to clean, and which one was easiest to maintain. This information was an important part of the grant application process. Ultimately, we were denied the grant. While saddened, our spirits were not damped as the Food Bank of the Rockies was able to find some money within its budget to allow us to continue on with this program. This week, with immense help and support from Food Bank of the Rockies, the smoothie bars were able to launch at both Club units. We are thrilled to be making smoothies every Tuesday and Thursday for breakfast for the kids. It is the goal to be the pilot program and provide feedback to help tweak the program so other non-profit entities will have the parameters in place to develop its own in the future if they would like. The kids are loving thinking of their own recipes. Not only do we love that they are finding the creativity within themselves to develop new things to try, but we like that it keeps them healthy and full at the same time. Thank you again to the Food Bank of the Rockies for your continued partnership and all that you do for the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club.

Bud Taylor is the Executive Director for the Black Canyon Boys & Girls Club (BCBGC) and had been for the past two years. Prior to that, he was a BCBGC kid, junior staff member, and board director. Feel free to contact Bud Taylor by e-mail at btaylor@bcbgc.org or visit the Club’s website for more information, www.bcbgc.org.