National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

This year's theme is "nutrition from the ground up". With the theme in mind, the Coalition has decided to focus on our community from our youth up. We will co-host a Child (Pre-K-high school)/Parent Nutrition Night on March 25th from 6:00pm until 7:30pm at First Baptist Church of Collinsville. The event will include healthy snacks, recipes, taste tests, activities for all ages as well as healthy eating tips. Other sponsors include MHC-After 3, Piedmont Community Services, New College Institute-Early Childhood Development, the Starting Place, Henry County Schools, Virginia Cooperative Extension and Activate MHC.

Click here to download our Child/Parent Nutrition Night Flyer.

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Martinsville-Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness, Virginia  

Bike Basics 101 makes riding a bike easy, teaches the rules of the road, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Photo credit: Nelda Purcell

The Martinsville-Henry County (MHC) Coalition for Health and Wellness advocates active living for persons of all ages and abilities. The Coalition made significant strides to promote active aging services through its Activate initiative by adopting active aging programs and implementing smart growth policies.

Activate strives to increase participation in physical activities, improve the recreational image of the community, and advocate for additional active living resources. One feature is the community assessment, in which Activate staff bring citizens on community walkabouts to assess specific needs in the area, such as walking and biking facilities. Thanks to older resident input, the City of Martinsville has its first bike lane and pedestrian safety lights.

Activate inventoried physical activity programs and identified a need for more senior services, including walking and biking programs. Activate partnered with the Martinsville YMCA to establish a low impact beginners' walking program, which now has 100 participants, 61% of whom are elders.

Activate publishes an annual physical activity guide and tool kit with useful information on recreation programs, and fitness and health centers so elders can stay active.

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