Who We Are: Eat Smart Move More Catawba County (ESMM) is a community coalition working to improve access to healthy nutrition and physical activity in Catawba County. Partners include hospitals, school systems, healthcare providers, service agencies, school nurses, businesses, faith communities, universities, childhood obesity prevention and treatment programs, and the Eat Smart Move More North Carolina movement. Current initiatives are funded by the national ACHIEVE grant program and Catawba County Health Partners.
Current Initiatives
Schools
- Healthy Schools Recognition Program: Providing recognition to schools meeting recommended nutrition and physical activity standards. Ten schools were named Healthy Schools in the program’s inaugural year (2010-11).
- Healthy Food Preparation Training: Helping school cafeteria staff incorporate healthy food preparation methods into existing menus.
Childcare Centers
- Healthy Childcare Centers Recognition Program: Designed to recognize childcare centers that implement and maintain minimum physical activity and nutrition standards.
Environments
- Joint Use Agreements: Partnering with schools to provide safe, accessible locations for physical activity during non-school hours.
Food Access
- EBT at Farmers' Market: Enabling food assistance patrons to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers’ markets.
- Curb Markets: Providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables in the county’s food deserts through farmers’ curb markets.
- Healthy Food Policies: Working with the Catawba County Food Policy Council and local agencies to adopt food policies that ensure healthy options for served or donated food.
Contact Us for more information or to get involved! |
