Latest News
Growing Urban Ag Projects in Low-income Communities: Webinar
PolicyLink will host "Equitable Strategies for Growing Urban Agriculture", a webinar on Feb 16, 2-3 pm (EST). It's free but you must pre-register.
Advocates are illustrating that urban agriculture is a pathway to making healthy food more available for low-income communities, a key to shifting economic revitalization efforts, and catalytic for battling the challenges of blight and abandonment.
Building from the recently released PolicyLink Urban Agriculture Tool, PolicyLink will be hosting a mini-series of webinars focusing on how low-income communities and communities of color are incorporating urban agriculture into their community development efforts and into policy infrastructures supporting this work.
This first webinar will feature Green City Grower’s CEO Mary Donnell, Ian Marvy, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Added Value (see video here), and Malik Yakini, Chairman of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. Each panelist will discuss challenges and strategies for growing and sustaining urban agriculture projects in low-income communities and communities of color.
YogaFest NC April 14: Registration Open Now
Registration is now open for YogaFest NC, a way for people across the Triangle to come together and experience accessible yoga for all skill levels as well as learn about improved mobility through the practice of yoga, proper breathing techniques, the importance of emotional health and better eating habits.
YogaFest NC is Sat., April 14, 8:00 am-4:30 pm mat the HIlton North Raleigh-Midtown. Learn about the event, agenda, sponsorship opportunities and registration at the YogaFest NC web site.
Nourishing NC Garden Grants Available!
The NC Recreation & Park Association announces the second round of funding for the Nourishing NC Community Garden Grant Program. Details about the guidelines and application are online; deadline is Mon., Feb 20, 5 pm.
Per the grant guidelines, Wake County is eligible for up to $3000 in funding to establish or enhance a community garden. Priority will be given to a collaborative application to fund more than one garden in the county and priority will be given to applications where parks & recreation, the health department and cooperative extension are involved.
Contact Michelle Wells with NCRPA with questions: 919-832-5868.
Local Food Champions: Are You a Champion?
AHA thanks the Local Food Champions who help fund local food related initiatives! Whole Foods Market Raleigh (Wade Ave.) and Whole Foods Market Cary are Harvest sponsors.
Sponsorships are available at a variety of levels and all support Dig In, Farm It Forward, Lunch In and other initiatives. If your organization or you are intersted in being a Local Food Champion, please contact us!
Simple Cooking with Heart: Eating Healthy During Heart Month
Enjoy a free food preparation and taste-testing demonstration to learn simple ways to eat healthier at Simple Cooking with Heart, Feb. 28, 6-8 pm at the Wake County Commons Building in Raleigh.
American Heart Association and Wake County Human Services-Health Promotion Chronic Disease Prevention Section are teaming up to celebrate February as Heart Month with you. There will be nutrition activities, food samples, door prizes and movement sessoins. Space is limited so please RSVP to Elizabeth Spender-Smith (919/250-3990) by Feb. 15.
Review Raleigh's UDO Re: Community Gardens & Chickens
Raleigh's UDO Advisory Group will hold a briefing Jan. 18, 4-6 pm, at the Urban Design Center in Raleigh on the city's proposed new Unified Development Code (zoning rules). Learn more at RaleighUDO.com and plan to attend the public hearing on Feb. 21 at 6:30 in City Council chambers. The UDO impacts community gardens in Raleigh.
Tools & Ideas for Highlighting Nutrition for Youth
If you missed AHA's Brains and Bodies Workshop this week, you may be interested in the presentations and resources shared. The workshop focused on how PTAs and school staff, as well as other organizations working with youth, can highlight National Nutrition Month® in March--or any time of the year!
We presented a variety of activities and resources, taste some delicious Groovy Green Smoothies courtesy of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School. Reading resources were also shared for teachers or schools that want to invite parents in for guest reading programs. AHA also shared information about the Brains and Bodies Award for 2012. Schools can win up to $500 for wellness initiatives!
Presentations:
On the Plate: National Nutrition Month® Ideas & Activities
St. Mary Magdalene School 2011 National Nutrition Month Program
2012 AHA Brains and Bodies Award InformationHandouts:
Wake PTA Council Nutrition Book Suggestions
Wake County Public Library Nutrition Book SuggestionsGroovy Green Smoothies
1 banana, cut in chunks
1 cup grapes or fresh pears (or pears packed in water)
1 6oz tub of vanilla yogurt
1/2 apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1 1/2 cups fresh spinach leavesPut in blender and blend til smooth. Enjoy!
Be Well with Fresh, Local Food!
Irregardless Cafe is hosting a monthly series of on wellness, starting with "Local Foods in Wake County" on Jan. 31, 7 pm at the restaurant. Did you know that Wake County is home to over 50 community gardens, farmers markets, CSAs and pick your own farms? Carol Mitchell, a registered dietitian with Wake County Cooperative Extension, will discuss easy and cost-effective ways for families to eat more healthy, fresh and local food through all of the resources available to us in Wake County.
February's topic is "We Are What We Eat." Join Lydia Loyd with Wake County Human Services, Health Promotion Chronic Disease Prevention on Feb. 28.
Save the Date! Dig In Is March 10
AHA presents its third annual Dig In, all about starting and maintaining community (and backyard!) gardens in the Triangle! Online registration and agenda details are coming soon, but save the date and plan to attend!WHAT: Dig In!
DATE: Sat., March 10
TIME: 8:30 am-12 noon
WHERE: Marbles Kids MuseumWe'll have workshops featuring area urban farming experts and plenty of interactive, educational and fun booths too. Plus, Marbles is planning lots of fun children's gardening activities for the entire day! Check out that climbing spinach growing last summer at Highland United Methodist Church's Victory Garden!
AHA Is Hiring!
AHA is seeking a new director, who is responsible for the the development, coordination and management of the Advocates for Health in Action collaborative. The director works closely with community partners, and WakeMed Public Relations to ensure that healthy weight priorities are supported, implemented and sustained. Addtional information about the position is online.