Promoting health and wellness through nutrition, food security, and community resources.

Community Health Assessment
Community Health Assessments (CHA’s) are county wide assessments which gauge the barriers and concerns of citizens relating to their health. These assessments provide an overall picture of varying health issues and strengths of communities around N.C.  The Affordable Care Act requires hospitals to  begin completing  Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years to engage the local community on its general health problems and explain how the hospital intends to address them. These two assessments may be paired together to better serve the needs of the communities they serve.

Gobbling Up Snacks: Cause or Potential Cure for Childhood Obesity?
USDA’s Economic Research Service published an article in Amber Waves in December of 2012. The article highlights that fruits and vegetables are not only healthy as snacks but can also be affordable. The article looks into the misconception that healthy fruit and vegetable snacks are more expensive than less healthy snacks.

Eating and Health Module
USDA’s Economic Research Service researched and published data on American’s time spent on eating and drinking, grocery shopping, and meal preparation  These activities shed light not only on economic behaviors but also on their contribution to the health of American’s.

Different Measures for Food Access Inform Different Solutions
USDA’s Economic Research Service published a report in Amber Waves recently addressing the role food access has upon the nation’s health. This report analyzes the role transportation plays in community access to healthy foods.  The report also addresses the role socioeconomic status plays on food deserts and food access.

Food Access Research Atlas
USDA’s Economic Research Service created the Food Access Research Atlas for citizens to have the ability to explore where food deserts were along with access to healthy and affordable foods.

Real Time Farms 
Real Time Farms is a resource that is powered by individuals throughout the nation. This is a food guide which locates food, farms, artisans, farmers markets, and eateries as a way to address food access issues.