Special to 1808Delaware
The United Way of Delaware County is excited to announce the successful implementation of an initiative aimed at promoting healthy food choices among clients who visit the Family Resource Center Pantry, previously known as the Pacer Pantry. This initiative was made possible through collaboration with the Delaware Public Health District and funding provided by the Ohio Department of Health as a part of the Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) Capacity Building grant opportunity.
The project focused on creating an environment that works to support healthy food choices for individuals and families who may need support obtaining food. Key components of the project included:
- Community Engagement: The Health District and United Way engaged with young people who frequently visit the Willis Education Center in a taste testing event to raise awareness about their ability to access the resource center pantry if in need, as well as the benefit of choosing food items with low or no added sugars.
- Policy Adoption: A thorough healthy food policy was created to identify efforts at procuring healthy food items through donations to distribute and the use of the Healthy Eating Research Guidelines for the Charitable Food System to encourage the choice of healthier food items in an easy to understand way.
- Environmental Changes: Within the pantry space there were several environmental changes made that encourage the selection and consumption of healthy foods. This included installing new shelving and updating the layout, the purchase of a refrigerator to be able to keep a wider variety of items which require refrigeration such as fresh produce, dairy, or proteins, and new signage and education that promotes nutritious options.
“We are thrilled to work with the United Way and to see the positive impact of our collaborations and know that this project is just one examples of how our organizational partnerships can continue to support healthy lifestyles in a way that is sustainable for our neighbors and those we serve,” said Josie Bonnette, Community Health Specialist with the Health District. “By working together, we have been able to make changes towards a supportive environment to make healthier choices for those who visit the Resource Center.”
In conjunction with this project’s success, the United Way of Delaware County is planning an open house event scheduled for Friday, August 2. This event will provide an opportunity for the community to visit the resource center, learn about the services provided, and engage with staff and volunteers.
For more information about the DPHD and other Healthy Eating and Active Living initiatives, visit DelawareHealth.org. For more information about the United Way and the Resource Center as well as the upcoming open house event, visit Delawarecountyfamilies.org/resource-center or United Way of Delaware County Resource Center on Facebook.
