upon the launch of her Let’s Move! initiative in February 2010, Michelle Obama observed, “the physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake.” She then laid out a plan to address the problem of childhood obesity with sustainable, common sense strategies and the tools to implement them.

locally, we have ample access to fresh, healthy food and plenty of fun physical activities in which to participate. since the launch of Let’s Move!, area community members, nonprofit and government organizations, and businesses have mobilized to join the cause and help our kids. Groups such as Eat Smart Move More, WNC Healthy Kids, Spark, ASAP Growing Minds Farm to School, and Healthy Buncombe are introducing children to healthy eating habits early on. these organizations offer tools, school gardens, training opportunities, tips for parents and caregivers, resources, funding for local programs, as well as hands-on demonstrations, tours, and classes.

Eat Smart Move More is a multiagency partnership that works to change “policies, practices, and environments” to promote eating right and staying active, and its website provides statistics, tools, and funding opportunities for local programs. WNC Healthy Kids is a group of regional partners that provides school gardens, articles, training, and resources. Parents and educators can find useful links, tips, and news about healthy living on Healthy Buncombe’s website. The spark website has age-appropriate physical activities that kids will love.

Area farmers and chefs are also playing a big role in educating our children. Yancey County Farmers’ Market is part of a statewide pilot program that’s making fresh fruits and vegetables easier to buy for lower income households. through this program, seniors on food assistance programs, WIC clients, and Food and Nutrition (food stamps) participants can use their benefits at the market.

laurey Masterson, of Laurey’s Café & Catering, and William Dissen, of The Market Place, participate in ASAP’s Growing Minds Farm to School program by teaching cooking classes. Farm to School works to connect farms and schools, and includes farm field trips, nutrition education, school gardens, and local food in cafeterias. Chefs from Sunburst Trout, Table, Greenlife Grocery, Mamacita’s, and Knife & Fork have also been a part of school programs.

The program recently received 40 cooking kits (valued at $2,000 each) through Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) that will be distributed to 40 schools (pre-school through high school) throughout Western North Carolina. ASAP partner chefs have already given 20 cooking demonstrations at area schools since the start of the school year.

“Along with the tools presented to teachers and chefs at our Farm to School cooking conference this past summer, these kits will provide them with the resources necessary to create dynamic cooking classes for children,” says Emily Jackson, Growing Minds program director. “We can’t wait for the stories and images to begin pouring in.”

Let's Move! Resources

ASAP Growing Minds Farm to School (growing-minds.org)

Eat Smart/Move More (eatsmartmovemorenc.com)

Healthy Buncombe (healthybuncombe.org)

North Carolina School Health Connection ()

Nutrition & Physical Activity Self Assessment for Child Care (napsacc.org)

Spark (sparkpe.org)

WNC Healthy Kids (twnchealthykids.net)