Wonderland Gardens has taken first lady Michelle Obama’s nutrition initiative to heart by launching a series of nutritional programs for the community.

Deborah Summerville, garden coordinator, said the first program will be held Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Gallery at South DeKalb.

“We will talk about the value of eating locally grown produce, regular exercise and nutrition,” she said.

“Basically, we’ll address better nutrition in the community.”

Sheldon Fleming, the garden’s executive director, said that after 15-plus years in broadcasting in TV and radio, Summerville has seen the health disparities in our community.

The nonprofit garden on Rainbow Drive in Decatur is working to build community awareness of good stewardship of the Earth through programs that actively promote organic gardening, green education, recycling and healthy living in communion with nature.

Summerville said Wonderland Gardens is embracing the first lady’s initiative, which raises awareness about nutrition in America.

“We are taking the ball and running with it,” she said. “Diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are showing up in our children. For the first time, children are facing a shorter life span than their parents.”

The nutritional programs will be held once a month throughout 2010 at the Decatur mall, 2801 Candler Road in Decatur, and at Wonderland Gardens, 3145 Rainbow Drive in Decatur.

All classes, including a weight-loss program for adults, are free to the public.

In the spring, Wonderland Gardens will sponsor community walks for children and adults at the garden and hold classes on how to grow your own vegetables.

It also will have a nine-week summer camp for overweight children on nutrition and life lessons, on integrity, setting high moral standards, self-reliance, self-esteem, healthy cooking classes and more.

For more information, visit www.wonderlandgardens.org or call 404-680-1900.