Tulsa students launch healthy food box to fight obesity

A group of students in Tulsa is stepping up to combat childhood obesity and health disparities in their community with a new healthy food box program, supported by a grant from Sun Life’s Health Access Heroes initiative.

The project, launching Wednesday, June 25, at YouthWorks Ranch, is the result of a partnership between Tulsa YouthWorks, Sun Life U.S., and DentaQuest. The goal: grow and distribute fresh produce to local families in an area where the childhood obesity rate is 11% higher than the national average.

Students Growing Solutions

The initiative empowers elementary and high school students to grow produce at YouthWorks Ranch through a 10-week Summer Dream Camp and a 30-week After School Program. The students are learning about nutrition, farming, and leadership while addressing serious health issues in their community.

Community Partners Unite

YouthWorks is teaming up with local groups, including Better Day Farms, FreshRx Oklahoma, Olive Branch Aquaponics, and area farmers. Together, they’re creating nutritious food boxes designed to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes.

FreshRx, one of the program’s collaborators, has shown success in helping patients with type 2 diabetes lower their A1c levels, and in some cases, reverse the condition altogether.

The Urgency in Tulsa

In Tulsa, childhood obesity affects 30% of youth. For Black males in the community, life expectancy is just 54 years, driven largely by chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Organizers say these numbers are a wake-up call.

“The students are not only improving their own health—they’re leading change for the entire community,” said organizers.

About the Organizations

Tulsa YouthWorks serves more than 200 children and teens annually through camps, job training, and health programs. Its facilities include the YouthWorks Pizza Factory and YouthWorks Ranch.

Sun Life U.S. provides benefits to nearly 50 million Americans through employers and government programs. Its offerings include dental, vision, life, and health insurance services.