State, partners dole out 380K in healthy community grants

The state Department of Health announced Monday that $380,000 in “Shaping NJ” healthy community grants are being awarded to 31 New Jersey communities to support projects that improve access to healthy food and expand opportunities for children and adults to become physically active.”We are pleased to provide grant funding to empower communities to support healthy behaviors in our state,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Mary E. O’Dowd said. “Sustainable change happens at the local level. Over the past four years of this initiative, we have seen promising policy and environmental changes as an important part of the department’s comprehensive approach to reduce obesity and promote a culture of wellness in New Jersey.”

The DOH is providing a total of $215,000 to 18 communities. Thirteen communities are receiving a total of $165,000 from DOH funding partners Atlantic Health System and Partners for Health, the Montclair-based community foundation.

Grants of about $5,000 to $12,000 are being awarded for projects that include encouraging corner stores to sell healthier foods; community and school gardens; walking and bike paths; “Safe Routes to School” programs; new farmers markets; and “Take the Stairs” campaigns at the workplace.

Shaping NJ is the state partnership for nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention. The goal is to prevent obesity and improve the health of statewide populations that are at risk for poor health outcomes by creating easier and healthier choices in their everyday routines.

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Editorial: Use caution with public-private partnerships