2-01-2018 4:46pm

County Health Department Funds Programs Promoting Nutrition, Physical Activity

Two Saline programs are among those chosen for Washtenaw County Health Department grants to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

The county announced more $160,000 in grant funding to 13 community projects they hope will help people build foundations to live healthy lifestyles.

The health department awarded the funding through its Building Healthy Communities program, which creates policy, system, and environment changes that support physical activity and healthy eating. The program aims to reduce cardiovascular disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions.

Saline Parks and Recreation will receive $5,000 for Rec On The Go, an eight-week summer program that promotes outdoor fun, physical activities and social interaction for school-aged youth. The program is free to anyone ages 5-14 but targets those who are inactive or who lack opportunities for recreation. The program runs June 18 through Aug.10. The county also granted $8,995 for a program that provides nutritional program for the Saline community. The program is a collaboration between the Saline Farmers Market and Saline Area Senior Center. Senior citizens and low-income individuals are the target of the program. The Farmers Market will host a kickoff event in April 2018 which will include cooking demonstrations and breakout sessions on nutrition, gardening, and tips for utilizing the farmers market. From May-September 2018, they will have monthly cooking demonstrations at the Saturday farmers market using produce and items currently available at the market. Individuals who attend the kickoff and monthly cooking demonstrations will receive coupons to purchase fresh produce (fruits & vegetables) at the market.

Here are the other grant winners:

Charter Township of Ypsilanti Recreation Department (in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley & New West Willow Neighborhood Association)
Chelsea Senior Center
Eastern Michigan University (in partnership with Parkridge Community Center & Ypsilanti Housing Commission)
Ecology Center
Food Gatherers
Growing Hope (in partnership with Cultivate Coffee and Taphouse & Taste the Local Difference)
IDEA Buenos Vecinos
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (in partnership with Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels)
Northfield’s Human Services (in partnership with Whitmore Lake Health Equity Leadership Team)
St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor
Whitmore Lake Public Schools (in partnership with Whitmore Lake Health Equity Leadership Team)

Building Healthy Communities is funded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Past projects have helped launch local farmers markets in Ypsilanti and Chelsea, healthy food assistance programs, non-motorized planning initiatives, walking and biking trails, the Washtenaw County Food Policy Council, and Prescription for Health. For more information about the Building Healthy Communities program, please visit bit.ly/WashtenawBHC.