This thought process, based on the ancient Chinese proverb, encourages Utah Food Bank to continue doing what it has for years - feeding Utah children and educating them about the benefits of healthy eating habits.

Some 94,000 Utah children live in poverty, according to the Utah Food Bank's Web site. Because of the correlation between poverty and obesity - the result of high-calorie content in many inexpensive foods - children need to be educated about nutrition and encouraged to eat what is best for their health.

The Dannon Company, which has a plant located in West Jordan, agrees that educating children on nutrition is vital.

"Given the rising rates of obesity, it's important to us to help children learn healthy eating habits early in life so they can grow with those into adulthood," says Gayle Binney, Dannon's manager of corporate social responsibility.

That explains why Dannon recently presented Utah Food Bank, the recipient of its second annual Dannon Next Generation Nutrition Grant, with a check for $30,000. State Sens. Chris Buttars, R-W. Jordan, and Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, were there for the Oct. 3 presentation. So was West Jordan Mayor Dave Newton and Dannon employees.

Dannon offers this grant to nonprofit organizations in the Salt Lake Valley. About 40 organizations that offer nutrition education applied this year, said company spokesman Michael Neuwirth. Dannon selects recipients based on which group will reach the most children and by measuring the effectiveness of that group's program.

Utah Food Bank plans to use the grant money to establish three new Kids Café locations around the Salt Lake City area. Kids Café enables children to receive weeknight dinner meals. Within the public-school system, low-income children can receive free or discounted healthy meals for breakfast and lunch. Kids Café offers these children a hot, well-balanced dinner as well, ensuring they have access to three full meals a day.

Utah Food Bank hosts more than 15 Kids' Café locations in select elementary schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and community centers in the area.

"Healthy and nutritious foods are essential for fueling kids' minds as well as their bodies," Sen. Buttars stated in a written release. "This program helps set Utah kids on the path for success."

In addition to offering free meals to children in need, Utah Food Bank teaches children how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle by making their own nutritious food choices.

At certain Kids Café sites, children will have the opportunity to attend classes and participate in fun activities that will help them pick nutritious foods as their top choice.

Jessica Pugh of Utah Food Bank said, "Kids automatically think healthy foods aren't tasty. A lot of times they haven't been introduced to them."

And that's what the classes are designed to do: Introduce children to diverse colors and textures in nutritious foods and give them healthy alternatives. Another important lesson is portion control, which is emphasized by showing kids that a portion of cheese the size of their thumb is equivalent to half a cup of milk.

"It's OK to have different types of foods, but portion-control is key," Pugh says.

* For more information about where Utah Food Bank's Kids Cafe facilities are located, visit www.utahfoodbank.org.