Three Rivers Healthy Families has a mission: "To ensure that every child in the region is born healthy, grows in a safe and nurturing environment, enters school ready to learn and can develop into a healthy and productive adult."

TRHF, operating under the Middle Peninsula-Northern Neck Community Services Board, does its work at social gatherings and in individual homes, basing its services on each family’s strengths and needs. The organization serves 11 counties in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

Recently, while pursuing its mission, participants gathered at Central United Methodist Church in Mathews to learn more about working together as a family, healthy eating, cooking, and things to do with children in the kitchen. They also learned how to include them in the cooking process, how to shop economically, and when and where to use coupons. ("Milk in half or one gallon containers will cost less by the cup. Buy whole chickens and cut them up yourself. You save a lot. Buy block cheese and grate it yourself. Never use a coupon just because you have it, only if you need the item. If you don’t have a commercial sealer, use plastic freezer bags for freezing. Just suck the air out of the bag before sealing. It works great.")

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