Colchester Health Department, working with several other town departments, received a grant from the CT Department of Public Health to promote healthy nutrition and obesity prevention. The program uses several approaches to address the issues of nutrition education and obesity prevention:
Obesity prevention:
· A 550’ section of sidewalk was installed on Broadway to provide continuous safe sidewalk access between the center of town and the Recreation Complex. Pedestrians can now walk back and forth to town events, including 57 Fest and events on the town green, as well as visit local businesses using sidewalks. The sidewalk was designed by our Town Engineer, and much of the site preparation work was completed by the Public Works Department.
· A new sign for the Airline Trail Spur on Lebanon Avenue was installed to let people know where to access the Spur
· New signs on Old Hartford Road provide direction to the RecPlex and the Airline Trail Spur
· The Planning and Zoning Commission is continuing review of existing sidewalk information, including an overview of where sidewalks currently exist in town and where they should be constructed in the future to provide the best facilities for pedestrians, as well as consideration of a policy to ensure sidewalks are available in areas where they are most needed.
Nutrition education:
· Several local food establishments have partnered with the Colchester Health Department to be a “Healthy Link”. These establishments have volunteered to comply with nutrition policy and standards to offer portion sizes in accordance with American Heart Association recommendations, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables without heavy sauces, butter, sugar or salt.
While the grant is designed to target children ages 8 to 18, it is clear that these changes- more physical activity and better food choices- can benefit everyone. The list of participating food businesses, as well as how they meet Healthy Links program criteria, is below. When you visit these establishments, look for the Healthy Links certificate, and ask about their healthy food choices.
Family Pizza Restaurant and Grill
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as a side item for any meal
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as an a la carte item
· Offer portion sizes that are aligned with the American Heart Association recommendations with the price reduced for any reduced serving size
· Develop and post a policy for those who prefer to share a dinner
· Allow for half potions of entrée meals to be placed in a to go/doggie bag in the kitchen at the time of meal preparation and post this policy
Noel’s Market
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables for sale as grab and go foods
NuNu’s Bistro
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as a side item for any meal
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as an a la carte item
· Develop and post a policy for those who prefer to share a dinner
The Plum Tomato
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as a side item for any meal
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as an a la carte item
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables for sale as grab and go foods
· Offer portion sizes that are aligned with the American Heart Association recommendations with the price reduced for any reduced serving size
· Develop and post a policy for those who prefer to share a dinner
· Allow for half potions of entrée meals to be placed in a to go/doggie bag in the kitchen at the time of meal preparation and post this policy
Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as a side item for any meal
· Offer fresh uncooked fruits and/or vegetables as an a la carte item
· Offer portion sizes that are aligned with the American Heart Association recommendations with the price reduced for any reduced serving size
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