Food For Health is transforming community health in Milwaukee by using the power of food as medicine.

According to President and CEO Katherine Koshgarian, the organization is Wisconsin’s first and only accredited medically tailored meal program provider, offering a comprehensive, medical-grade intervention designed to prevent, manage, and even reverse diet-related disease.

Beyond meals, Food For Health provides education, support and community-centered programming to address the root causes of health disparities.

As a community-based organization, Food For Health serves as a hub where people of all ages feel safe, supported and connected. Its mission extends beyond the building’s walls through the delivery of individually prepared, packaged and nutritious meals straight to participants’ doorsteps, removing barriers such as transportation and lack of access.

Each medically tailored meal is created with fresh, whole ingredients and customized to a person’s specific health condition, functioning much like a prescription—only in the form of food.

Food For Health’s impact is measurable and significant. In one six-month program, 89% of participants lowered dangerously high A1C levels into the normal range; 74% brought their blood pressure into normal range, and participants collectively lost nearly 3,000 pounds.

Watch: Food For Health is fighting disease and disparities through medically tailored meals

Food For Health is fighting disease and disparities through medically tailored meals

The organization has also launched one of the nation’s leading maternal and infant health programs, addressing conditions such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Currently, 94% of participants in that program are experiencing healthy birth outcomes.

Participants say the program has been
life changing. Carmelith Smith shared that Food For Health made her pregnancy healthier than her first and taught her how to cook and eat better.

Valley Hollins says she has lost 45 pounds, no longer needs blood pressure medication, and is no longer borderline diabetic.

For those who cannot afford meals, philanthropic support helps cover the cost, while others can enroll directly—each purchased meal also sponsors one for someone in need. More information is available at the Food for Health website.

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Every week, Milwaukee With Kids answers a simple question for families across the area: What are we going to do this weekend? From indoor activities to outdoor adventures, we’ve got you covered. For the full weekend list, make sure to visit the Milwaukee With Kids website.

Top pick

Broadway Skates MKE 
Red Arrow Park
Jan. 30 | 5-8 p.m.

’Tis the season for Slice of Ice and celebrating all that Milwaukee theater has to offer. Join this night of face painting, giveaways and festive fun, including free skate rentals courtesy of WaterStone Bank, a Broadway performance by Ice Theater MKE and much more. Plus, don’t miss your chance to win complimentary tickets to Kimberly Akimbo, playing at Uihlein Hall from Feb. 17–22.

Trucks and trains

Monster Jam: Freestyle Mania
Fiserv Forum
Jan. 31-Feb. 1

For the first time ever in Milwaukee, Monster Jam trucks will team up with Freestyle Motocross bikes to deliver gravity-defying skills and thrills. Cheer for your favorite team at Fiserv Forum as they pull off stunts you’ve never seen before while delivering energy, action and next-level entertainment that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Train Show: Modern Wonders in the Dome 
Mitchell Park Domes
Jan. 31-Feb. 1

Perfect for families, explorers and dreamers of all ages, “Modern Wonders in the Dome” is your ticket to a global garden adventure filled with imagination, discovery and botanical beauty — no passport required. For the all-scale exhibit, the Train Show expands into the lobby and Greenhouse 7, with fun, food and a whole bunch of model trains of all gauges.

Connect with nature

Light the Hart
Hart Park | Wauwatosa
Jan. 31

Heat Haven has set up this free community event featuring a winter walk through Hart Park, complete with an illuminated path designed to get you out of the house, into the fresh air and connecting with your neighbors. The path will be set up by 3 p.m. and ready to enjoy all evening long. You can also stop by Heat Haven Sauna Park from noon to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday to decorate your own paper luminaria bag. On top of that, there will be FREE s’mores courtesy of Discovery Wauwatosa available from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. (while supplies last).

Candlelight Hike and Ski 
Lapham Peak | Delafield
Jan. 31 | 5-9 p.m.

Mark your calendar as the Friends of Lapham Peak host their annual Candlelight Hike and Ski through Kettle Moraine State Forest. When you’re done enjoying the trail, you can warm yourself by the bonfire, enjoy treats at Trecker Lodge (donations appreciated), or even bring your own food to grill outside. A valid Wisconsin State Park annual vehicle admission sticker or a $10 special event vehicle admission fee is required, and you must register in advance.

Kids Ice Fishing Clinics
Select Milwaukee County Parks
Jan. 31 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Join the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Milwaukee County Parks and local fishing clubs for these free youth ice fishing clinics at Greenfield Park in West Allis, Scout Lake in Greendale, Dineen Park in Milwaukee and McCarty Park in West Allis. Kids ages 15 and under will receive hands-on instruction on ice-fishing basics, safety and how-to tips that will build confidence on the ice. Fishing equipment is available to use during the clinic, but participants are encouraged to bring their equipment if able.

Great Lakes Tropical Fish Swap 
Crowne Plaza Milwaukee South
Jan. 31-Feb. 1

This inaugural two-day event has something for every aquarium hobbyist — freshwater and saltwater — and those fascinated by our fin-ny friends. Local, regional and national vendors will show off their colorful swimmers, and be sure to check out the kids area with live animal presentations by J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, crafts, coloring books by Fishroom Punks, scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos and more!

Feeling festive?

Lake Geneva Winterfest 
Riviera Plaza & Flat Iron Park | Lake Geneva
Jan. 28-Feb. 1

The 31st annual free festival is home to America’s Snow Sculpting Invitational, featuring 15 of the most talented artists from around the U.S. and abroad who participate in an epic competition of skill and artistry. You can watch them work and enjoy more wintery fun throughout Lake Geneva, including bonfires on the beach, live entertainment, concessions and more!

Winter Carnival
Lynden Sculpture Garden
Jan. 31 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lynden celebrates winter with a day of outdoor artmaking, scavenger hunts, tree-walks, workshops and whatever other winter activities (ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing) the weather permits. Orchestrated by artist Lillian Supanich around the theme of “holding,” this highly participatory, artist-driven carnival offers something for all ages.

MILWAUKEE – At MacDowell Montessori School in Milwaukee, the genuine excitement from these young students was palpable.

A winter surprise

What we know:

That’s because the Milwaukee Brewers and their Famous Racing Sausages stopped by as part of the team’s “Frozen Sausage Tour.”

“Recognizing and acknowledging the importance of education, together with celebrating our Brewers fans across the entire state just gets us out in the winter and allows us to say thank you and to remind kids that we know it’s the depths of winter, but baseball is coming and to bring them a little touch of the Milwaukee Brewers,” said Marti Wronski, Brewers Chief Operating Officer. 

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And who better to represent the Brewers than infielder Caleb Durbin and pitcher Chad Patrick.

The duo spent time talking to the student beforehand. They had one main message in mind and that was the importance of education.

“They just see us on the field and there’s a lot more to us than just being an athlete,” said Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin. “We went through the whole school system, some of us up through college and that was a big part of our life that I don’t think a lot of, definitely a lot of kids don’t really realize that we’re in their same position at one point.”

“It’s cool just to you know, give back and let these kids know you know, that your teachers are important,” said Brewers pitcher Chad Patrick. “School is important and just be respectful to them.”

Learning never stops

What they’re saying:

The pair reminded the students that they are no different from them. After all, even as professional baseball players, they’re still learning everyday from Brewers manager Pat Murphy.

“When you have one of the best teachers in the world kind of helping you with your craft, it gives you confidence,” said Durbin. “We feel like Murph prepares us better than anyone else that can do the job. There’s a lot of confidence going into the offseason that he’s got our back.”

“We’re just students of the game,” said Patrick. “You know, we’re learning everyday and whether you’re stepping in his office and he’s giving you a lot of advice, or whether it’s you know, the other coaches around us, giving us advice too, we’re always winning.”

Honoring educators

Big picture view:

To further emphasize the importance of rewarding educators, the Brewers honored teacher Heidi Henriques, who received the Grand Slam Teacher Award.

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MacDowell Montessori School also received a $1,000 check from the team. 

To add to the excitement, the Brewers’ Famous Racing Sausages finished the day with a race around the gym. 

“The Brewers take every one of these moments to heart and we hope that we get to share a little something special that might stick with some of the kids,” said Wronski.

The Brewers also made stops in Green Bay and Madison.