As Nutrition Month celebrates its 2026 theme, Nourish to Flourish, Free Play for Kids and Alberta Blue Cross are celebrating the power of sport and food literacy in helping Edmonton children grow, learn and thrive.
Through daily after-school programming, Free Play for Kids provides safe, inclusive spaces for children and youth to play, develop new skills and stay active while also ensuring they have the nutrition they need to participate fully.
And to ensure children have the energy to participate, Alberta Blue Cross® has stepped up as the program’s dedicated snack sponsor—through which Free Play for Kids provides a reliable daily snack for every child in the program.
“This is the fourth year of our partnership with Free Play for Kids,” says Brian Geislinger, senior vice-president of Corporate Relations and Community Engagement with Alberta Blue Cross. “By ensuring children received a reliable, healthy snack every day, we’re helping reduce food insecurity and removing barriers to sport participation.”
In 2025, Alberta Blue Cross® supplied more than 9,000 healthy snacks for participants in Free Play for Kids—which supported 480 children across 24 schools, offering inclusive play spaces, structured mentorship and weekly food literacy classes that teach kids how to make informed choices about the foods that help them feel and perform their best.
“When kids understand how nutrition fuels their bodies and physical activity builds their confidence, they develop skills that serve them in every part of life,” says Tim Adams, executive director at Free Play for Kids. “Alberta Blue Cross’s® partnership doesn’t just remove barriers to participation—it reinforces our belief that every child deserves the opportunity to discover what they’re capable of.”
And the impact is clear:
- 95 per cent of kids are excited for the snacks and food at Free Play for Kids.
- 84 per cent of kids want to learn more about healthy foods because of Free Play for Kid’s Food to Play program.
- 74 per cent of kids are making healthier food choices at home or school
Children who participate in the Free Play for Kids programming say the support makes a meaningful difference.
“Sometimes this is the only snack I get before dinner, and I can play longer,” shared one participant.
“I’ve learned about healthy foods and how it affects my body,” said another.
About Alberta Blue Cross®
As the largest provider of health benefits in Alberta, we believe we have the potential and responsibility to impact people’s lives for the better. We believe all communities should thrive, and we are committed to serving as a champion for wellness by promoting the health of Albertans.
About Free Play for Kids
Free Play for Kid’s mission is to provide programs and spaces that are safe, accessible and inclusive, where communities are empowered through play.
For more information, please contact Jaclyn Spurrell, manager of Corporate Communications, Alberta Blue Cross® at jspurrel@ab.bluecross.ca or Adriana Martinez, director of Marketing & Sponsorship, Free Play for Kids, at adriana.martinez@freeplayforkids.com.
