Reach | Healthy Communities

| Community

Wellness is an integral and essential component of a healthy community. Constructing a healthy community increases opportunities for people to live happier and more active lives. We hope to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new allies in our effort to make the healthy choice the easy choice for all people living in Bartholomew County. Link up with the Reach movement and help build a healthier community where people have access to affordable and nutritious foods, have social support and resources, live in a healthy and safe environment conducive to active transportation and are more physically active. Reach for a healthier community!

Click here for information about the Think Farm idea contest!

Bartholomew County on The Move 2013 information coming soon.

Laura Garrett, Community Initiatives Lead
Email: lgarrett@crh.org Phone: 812-375-3994

Ideas for our Community

BCOTM

Bartholomew County on the Move (BCOTM) is a 12 week lifestyle challenge in which teams compete against other local teams for greatest percentage weight loss, total points for healthy lifestyle habits, and minutes spent being physically active.

Farm to Fork

This effort will link Bartholomew County growers with local restaurants, workplace cafeterias and schools to increase the availability of locally grown produce in area eateries.

For more information contact Laura Garrett, Community Initiatives Lead. lgarrett@crh.org 812-375-3994

Grocery Displays

The placement of food in a grocery store greatly influences how many people will purchase a particular item. We will partner will locally owned ethnic grocers to improve the placement of healthy options, making it easier to make healthy grocery purchases.

Healthy Meetings

Healthy Meeting & Event Guidelines make it easier for meeting attendees to make healthier choices by providing healthy food options and limiting unhealthy options. Breaks for physical activity may also be incorporated into longer meetings. A link to a pdf file of the Guidelines is available below.

For more information contact Beth Morris, Director Reach Healthy Communities. bmorris@crh.org 812-376-5452

Healthy Meeting Guidelines (PDF)

Vending

Does your business have a vending machine? Make the healthy choice the easy choice for your employees and visitors by including healthy snacks and beverages at a reduced price in all vending machines. Download a copy of the Reach Vending Guidelines and list of snacks that meet guidelines. For additional tips and tools on how to implement healthy vending at your worksite, please contact Beth Morris, Director Reach Healthy Communities. bmorris@crh.org 812-376-5452

Vending Guidelines (PDF)

Snacks That Meet Healthy Vending Criteria (PDF)

Community Gardens

At least six new community vegetable gardens will be established in Bartholomew County by June, 2011. Click here to view a map of community garden locations.

For more information contact Linda Nay, CPPW Gardener. l_nay@comcast.net

Pantry Standards

Studies show that low income individuals often have less access to healthy foods than others. Love Chapel has a food pantry that provides groceries to approximately 700 people per month. Healthy Communities will support Love Chapel leadership to help the people they serve make better nutritional choices.

Love Chapel Shopping List

Healthy Lifestyles Summit

The Healthy Lifestyles Summit was held April 29th, 2010 at Donner Center. At this event Healthy Communities introduced to the community the Reach movement, Healthy Communities new initiative focusing on obesity prevention. The entire community was invited to attend this important educational and motivational afternoon. Approximately 300 people attended. The day's agenda featured captivating national speakers Dr. Chris Economos and Mark Fenton and Indiana State Department of Health Assistant Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Dr. JoEllen Vrazel.

Farmers Markets

Bartholomew County has an abundance of farm stands and farmers markets, providing residents with many opportunities to purchase locally grown produce. Local food tastes better and is fresher than food that has been shipped long distances. Buying locally helps strengthen our community's economy and give you the opportunity to get to know the farmers who grow your food. Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown enables you to feel better about the food you put on your table. The freshest, most flavorful food is just around the corner!

Click here to see the locations of farm stands, farmers markets and community gardens in Bartholomew County. For more information contact Laura Garrett, Community Initiatives Lead. lgarrett@crh.org 812-375-3994

BCOTM

Healthy Meetings

We want every business in Bartholomew County to implement a healthy food policy. Commit to offering healthy food and beverage choices and limiting unhealthy options at company sponsored events and meetings. Download a copy of the Healthy Meeting & Event Guidelines and a sample policy for how to implement at your organization. For more information on providing healthy food/beverage options at your workplace contact Beth Morris, Director Reach Healthy Communities. bmorris@crh.org 812-376-5452

Healthy Meeting Guidelines (PDF)

Sample Policy (PDF)

Community Gardens

At least six new community vegetable gardens will be established in Bartholomew County by June, 2011. Click here to view a map of community garden locations. https://isdhmaps.isdh.in.gov/apps/cppw/markets.htm?ext=barth

For more information contact Linda Nay, CPPW Gardener. l_nay@comcast.net

Healthy Lifestyles Summit

Active Transportation

Bicycles are a fun, environmentally friendly and healthy way to get around!

The Bike Safety Initiative is a community-wide campaign aimed at distributing bike light sets to those who need them. This initiative, a partnership with local law enforcement, will increase awareness of bike safety and promote the health benefits of active transportation.

Take the Bike and Pedestrian Survey!

Bike Lane Education Video

Tips for Commuters

For more information contact Laura Garrett, lgarrett@crh.org, 812-375-3994

Columbus Bicycle Co-op

Need a bike? Columbus Bicycle Co-op's Earn- A-Bike program is a work-trade program open to anyone interested in earning a bike. How does it work? You spend time volunteering at the Bike Co-op, where you will pick out a bike, learn how to refurbish, perform basic repairs and maintenance and customize it to make it your own. After completion of 8-10 volunteer hours at the Co-op, the bike is yours! The Bike Co-op, located in the basement of the United Way Center at 1531 13th St. in Columbus, is open Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday noon--3:00 p.m. The Co-op is seeking volunteers to teach mechanics and bike safety education. Bicycle donations are also needed and greatly appreciated.

Join us on Facebook!

Bike Racks

In an effort to promote active transportation, Healthy Communities will place 110+ new bike racks across the county.

For more information about the Columbus Bicycle Co-op, the Earn-A-Bike program or bike racks, contact Laura Garrett, Community Initiatives Lead. lgarrett@crh.org 812-375-3994