| Perspectives: Collaborative Success | |
 | |
Sheree Vodicka,
AHA Director
|
I've had many reasons lately to ponder the question "what makes a collaborative such as AHA a success?"
As you may be aware, AHA is undergoing strategic planning with an eye on identifying some measurable goals and objectives. What this will do is empower us to say "yes" to those activities that will move us closer to reaching our mission, and give us permission to say "no" to things that do not.
I am hopeful that it will also strengthen us as a collaborative.
We sent a survey to roughly 100 of our partners, to identify where our strengths and weaknesses are as a team. Many thanks to the 41 that took the time to respond.
Read Sheree's full Perspectives article and the results of the partner on AHA's web site.
|
| Grant Writing for Schools: Workshop Oct. 29 |  Parents, school staff and teachers are invited to AHA's next Brains and Bodies Workshop: Show Me the Money: Grant Writing for Schools. Grants provide schools with an opportunity to increase--or kickstart--wellness and healthy lifestyles. But knowing where to find grants and how to write a successful grant application can be challenging. AHA has lined up three speakers to help guide you through this process. WHEN: Monday, Oct. 29, 10 am-12 pm WHERE: Middle Creek Community Center, Apex (Town of Cary facility) REGISTRATION: Register today! The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. |
| Food Day: Celebrate Real Food in Cary | |
 Eat real food. That seems like a simple concept and an obvious one. But in today's processed/packaged food world, it can be challenging to access and eat real food. Next week, around the country, communities will celebrate healthy, affordable and sustainable food during the annual Food Day, October 24.
On Saturday, Oct. 20, AHA partner Great Harvest Bread Co. in Cary invites you to eat real food and be part of the Food Day movement with its own celebration!
Join Great Harvest to learn how they mill their wheat every day and how that process retains the whole grains that are so good for your health. Enjoy samples of bread and a fall soup, plus plant your own wheat grass garden, learn how to plant a tower garden to grow veggies all winter, and visit with friends from the Western Wake Farmers' Market and The Produce Box. There will be activities and plenty of fun to go along with tastes of real food!
Take this EAT REAL quiz...even if you think you eat healthy, your score may surprise you!
|
|
Feeding School Children N.C. Produce: Celebrating Farm to School Month! |
With the local food movement taking root, you may hear of events celebrating "farm to fork" or "farm to table." October is National Farm to School Month, and it's a great opportunity to highlight this program that brings local and regional produce into our school cafeterias.
This month, students in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) are enjoying North Carolina apples in the cafeteria thanks to the NC Farm to School program, according to WCPSS Child Nutrition Services Director Marilyn Moody.
Growing the Farm to School Program in NC
 The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, an AHA partner, recently invested in the NC Farm to School Program to increase access to healthy food and educate children about making healthy choices.
Through a three-year $1.2 million grant, BSCSNCF is providing five new refrigerated tractor-trailers, which increases the distribution of local fruits and vegetables to 35 additional school systems statewide and increasing the number of farmers participating. Plus, the grant provides for a marketing and education initiative to teach children about what is being served in the cafeteria, where it is grown, how to make nutritious choices and why a healthy diet is important.
Visit AHA's website for the rest of this article about exciting developments in the NC Farm to School program and how you can reinforce the Farm to School message. |
|
|
 AHA fosters and supports community efforts to make healthy eating and physical activity the way of life in Wake County. Simply put, we are working to make the healthy choice the easy choice!
|
|
|
|
AHA Partner in the Spotlight:
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle | |
What began 23 years ago as an effort to recover fresh food from grocery stores and restaurants to feed hungry people in our community has evolved today into a mission to empower people to feed themselves.
 | |
©2012 Maurice Small |
Learn about how this AHA partners is growing food, community and jobs in Raleigh.
| |
|
NC Bike Summit
|
More than 175 bike enthusiasts convened for the first NC Bike Summit at Raleigh's McKimmon Center October 12 and 13.
Some arrived on bikes and many brought bikes to participate in the two planned, group rides the conference planners arranged that showcased Raleigh's growing network of greenways and bike lanes.
|
|
|
