Northern Virginia Healthy Kids Coalition

Sustainable Scoop: FitArlington and HCAT

 

Archived Newsletters

April 2014 - click here>>>

Creating a Culture of Fitness with Healthy Vending

"What good is physical activity if you fuel up with junk food and sugary drinks? One leader in Arlington County, Va., realized that the absence of healthy drink and snack options at parks and public buildings was sending an unclear message to the community about the importance of proper nutrition for an active lifestyle. With overwhelming community support, he drove good-for-you options into vending machines in county-owned property and local schools, creating an environment that weaves both nutrition and physical activity into the fabric of neighborhood health." For full article visit: http://www.communitycommons.org/sa_success_story/creating-a-culture-of-fitness-with-healthy-vending/

Harnessing the Power of Coalitions to Make Lasting Change

Making sure toddlers have safe places to play. Encouraging farmers markets to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Changing indecent exposure laws so moms can breastfeed in public. All of these improvements resulted in Northern Virginia because of coalition-building—when organizations come together to improve health. 

These kinds of changes are happening here thanks to the work of community leaders like Margaret Goldberger who has been sustaining coalitions for over 10 years. The Northern Virginia Health Foundation—whose staff participates in many coalitions in the region—interviewed Margaret about her perspective on what it takes to build coalitions successfully. As September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, we asked Margaret to also speak about her experience with this issue in particular. 

Click here for full article.

Arlington Campers Join Mrs. Obama to Drink Up

Arlington Kids Visit White House, Meet First Lady
• Arlington camps complement First Lady’s goals for healthier kids
• Kids celebrate anniversary of the Drink Up Campaign
• Ongoing commitment to develop a Culture of Fitness in Arlington

 

ARLINGTON, Va. – Seventeen Arlington campers, ages 8 to 11, joined First Lady Michele Obama at the White House on Tuesday to celebrate the first anniversary of the Let’s Move Drink Up campaign. The Drink Up initiative encourages Americans to drink more water, more often.

The kids were part of the Carver Community Center Summer Expedition Camp. Many of them also take part in Arlington County’s Kids in Action after school program. Both of these programs, which are coordinated through the Department of Parks and Recreation, focus on fun, safe and enriching options for children that also include healthy snacks, active programming and opportunities to help children learn to make healthy diet and activity choices.

“Meeting the First Lady made the message of drinking water and living a healthy lifestyle resonate with our campers in a life altering way,” said Jane Rudolph, Arlington’s director of parks and recreation. “We work hard to be healthy role models to our campers and create an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice, but being at the White House took it to another level!”

The Arlington campers were joined by children from a Washington, DC YMCA on the White House's South Lawn in front of a 60-foot by 43-foot water droplet composed of 2,000 blue "Drink Up" water bottles and met Mrs. Obama. Obama used the opportunity to encourage people to drink more water from the tap, water fountain or bottle.

Arlington has a culture of fitness

In 2008, Arlington County Board Member J. Walter Tejada started the FitArlington initiative, to encourage a Culture of Fitness in our community. Since that time, Arlington has developed a number of innovative programs that support wellness, including incorporating fitness and nutrition goals in summer camps and after school programs. The County also provides only healthy vending options in parks, schools, community centers and libraries. It also asks community members to refrain from smoking in County parks and playgrounds. The County has offered a number of training programs and resources for professionals who work with children, so that they, too, can include opportunities for the kids in their programs to learn about healthy choices through nutrition programs and fun physical activities.

Arlington County’s programs are part of the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) Commit to Health Initiative. Working in collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthier America, NRPA is carrying out a large-scale, national campaign that improves healthy eating and physical activity standards for youth at park and recreation sites across the nation. 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2014/07/22/drink-first-lady-michelle-obama

 

Susan Kalish
Public Relations Director
Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation
2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 414
Arlington, VA 22201

Work 703-228-3330

Save the Date: 2015 Weight of the State

Virginia Report with Delegate Kenneth Plum June 24, 2014

 

Healthy Vending Machine Installation Completed at all APS Facilities

Earlier this year (2014), APS partnered with FitArlington to replace vending machines and provide healthier options for both students and staff. FitArlington is county-wide initiative to promote a culture of wellness managed by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Funded in part by a grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, 115 new FitArlington Health Vending Machines are now dispensing an array of nutritional snacks and beverages at all 40 APS buildings throughout the school division. 

Superintendent Dr. Pat Murphy said, “We were very happy to partner with FitArlington to make sure our students receive the best nutritional options available to them while at school. We know that students who maintain a healthy lifestyle are also more focused, perform better at school, and lead happy and successful lives, a part of their health, well-being, and future.”

 

The vending machines offer bottled water and 100% fruit juice beverages, and a variety of healthy snacks, such as dried fruit, baked chips, and granola bars. After the new machines were installed, FitArlington staff provided free tasting events and handed out more than 4,000 samples to students and staff in all high school cafeterias and at other APS facilities, such as the Transportation department. While handing out samples, students also received information about the importance of reducing sugar sweetened beverage consumption and making positive dietary choices. 

 

County Board Member J. Walter Tejada stated, “Arlington County is committed to promoting a culture of fitness throughout our entire community. What better way than to provide healthy snacks in our schools, community centers and office vending machines! It’s very encouraging to see people are now seeking out these healthy options in the FitArlington vending machines.”

 

The new vending machines meet the USDA Smart Snacks in Schools food standards and APS completed the installation of the machines well ahead of the original schedule to comply by the July 1 deadline.

 

For more information, visit http://parks.arlingtonva.us/healthy-vending-initiative/. 

Murraygate Village Health & Wellness Fair & Bike Rodeo

"Healthy Parks, Healthy People” and National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day)

On Saturday, June 14, 2014 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm the George Washington Memorial Parkway invited the public to join park staff, volunteers and local organizations to celebrate “Healthy Parks, Healthy People” and National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day).

Location:     Belle Haven Park

6401 George Washington Memorial Pkwy

Alexandria, Virginia 22307

Healthy Parks, Healthy People is a global movement that harnesses the power of parks and public lands in contributing to a healthy civil society. GO Day is an annual event to introduce and encourage healthy eating and lifestyles and active outdoor fun to parents and their kids to traditional outdoor experiences and activities. President Obama and all 50 governors issued official proclamations declaring June as Great Outdoors Month promoting outdoor recreation.

The event featured Solar Cooking Demonstrations, live Owl and Hawk from the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia, Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre puppet show and quizzes, a Naturalist, Leave No Trace and Art in the Park Program. There was Art n Crafts and an Obstacle Course.

With the renewed focus on health, the National Park Service’s hope is to bring about lasting change in Americans’ lifestyle choices and their relationship with nature and the outdoors. People will begin to understand the outdoors and parks as a holistic approach to promote the health and well-being of all species and the planet to share. George Washington Memorial Parkway has planned a number of new Healthy Parks, Healthy People programs for July and August.

George Washington Memorial Parkway is a “Road to Adventure” originally designed as a grand gateway and greenway to the Nation’s Capital. Here, you can learn about the First President and the development of America. As an oasis amid urban development, the Parkway has a variety of park sites that provide opportunities for everything from quiet contemplation to nature exploration to active recreation. For more information, please visit www.nps.gov/gwmp or call (703) 289-2500.