Get Healthy CT Urges Monroe to Get Fresh During Fruit & Veggies Month!

From kid friendly selections and tips for smart shopping to where to find the regional farmers markets, Get Healthy CT provides free resources to help prevent obesity

Get Healthy CT covers the greater Bridgeport region including

Bridgeport, Fairfield, Trumbull, Monroe, Easton, and Stratford

With summer barbecues, picnics, and grilling galore just around the corner, Get Healthy Connecticut is encouraging Monroe residents to get adventurous and take advantage of the endless array of fresh fruits and vegetables the season brings. From kid friendly choices to simple steps for incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet, from smart shopping tips to a list of the regional farmers markets, farm stands, and community supported agriculture, the Get Healthy CT has collected resources from some of the most respected organizations to make healthy eating easier. For individuals and families who rely upon food assistance programs, there also are easy ways to find sites serving summer meals, which can be a challenge when school is not in session. All of this healthy eating information and more is available free online at http://www.GetHealthyCT.org and in print at locations across the region.

Free Resources for Fruits and Vegetables Month:

·      Produce of the Week – a yearlong calendar introducing a new fruit or vegetable each week with tips for selecting and preparing fresh produce, nutrition facts, and recipes, too! (Source: http://gethealthyct.org/produce-of-the-week/) 

·      A fun veggie word scrambler game (Source: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/veggie-scrambler.pdf)

·      Kid friendly fruits and vegetables in English & Spanish

o   English: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Kid-friendly-fruits-and-vegetables.pdf

o   Spanish: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Vegetales-y-frutas-para-ninos1.pdf)

·      3 simple steps to eating more fruits and vegetables (Source: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3-simple-steps.pdf)

·       Smart shopping for veggies and fruits in English & Spanish

o   English: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Smart-shopping-2.pdf /

o   Spanish: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Smart-shopping-Spanish.pdf

·      Listings of local farmers markets, farm stands, and community supported agriculture

o   Greater Bridgeport: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Farmers-Markets-Stands-and-CSA1-Bpt-Region.pdf

o   Norwalk - Greenwich: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Farmers-Markets-Stands-and-CSA1_Greenwich-Region.pdf

o   Greater New Haven: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Farmers-Markets-Stands-and-CSA1-2014-New-Haven.pdf

·      How to find local summer food programs (Source: USDA)

o   English: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Summer-Food-English.pdf

o   Spanish: http://gethealthyct.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Summer-Food-Spanish.pdf

Click here to download the entire June resource packet. (http://bit.ly/1m9ZxTX)

Through a grant from the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, Get Healthy CT focuses on a different obesity prevention topic each month and provides resources in print and online. Printed information packets are available at Bridgeport area libraries, community centers, regional health departments, and other locations. The same packets are available online at http://www.GetHealthyCT.org to download and reprint. An archive of previous monthly features is available, as well.

Get Healthy CT works collaboratively with key stakeholders in the greater Bridgeport, New Haven, and Greenwich regions to remove the barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. More than 150 large and small businesses and nonprofit and community organizations have joined the coalition to date, along with individuals and families, too.

When joining Get Healthy CT, members commit to two simple pledges: a Healthy Eating Pledge and a Physical Activity Pledge. Get Healthy CT also has created the Step It Up campaign, which encourages people to take the stairs whenever possible or find other no-cost ways to incorporate walking into their daily routines. The pledges and the free Step It Up resources are available online at http://www.GetHealthyCT.org.

Obesity in the Region:

The obesity rates in the United States and greater Bridgeport region are increasing due to a myriad of factors such as portion sizes, food choices, lack of convenient supermarkets in neighborhoods, consumer advertising, food costs, and more sedentary lifestyles. Likewise, it is clear that obesity contributes to other serious health complications including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, to name a few. According to the Greater Bridgeport Community Health Assessment (March 2013), survey respondents in Monroe, Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Stratford, and Trumbull report obesity rates ranging from 16% to 32%.

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About Get Healthy CT

Founded in 2010, Get Healthy CT (GHCT) is a coalition of large and small businesses and nonprofit and community organizations that are collaborating to reduce obesity in the greater Bridgeport, New Haven, and Greenwich regions. To accomplish this goal, Get Healthy CT strives to educate and encourage people to eat healthier and exercise more in order to stay healthy and productive and be the connecting point through its website to help people find affordable, healthy foods and low or no cost ways to be active. There is no cost to become a member. To learn more, visit http://www.GetHealthyCT.org or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Get-Healthy-CT/627153837349035?ref=hl.