Being Well Nourished
The Well Nourished Collaborative Action Network (CAN) of NEK Prosper! is enhancing health in our region through encouraging increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
Food Hero, a strategy of the Well Nourished CAN, is a multi-channel social marketing campaign.
This multi-channel social marketing campaign is designed to change family and community behaviors that ultimately lead to individuals’ increased fruit and vegetable consumption. By engaging parents (and others) with fast, fun, and tasty recipes and food-planning tips that highlight fruits and vegetables, we’re working to ensure this generation, and the next, in the Northeast Kingdom are well nourished. The campaign includes both direct education level work as well as work at the policy, systems, and environment levels.
Developed at Oregon State University, Food Hero was originally designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income Oregonians but components of the campaign have been used widely in other states and countries. Research shows that Food Hero’s clearly focused messages, use of plain language, positive and realistic messaging, and simple tools for action have led to this strategy’s success. Click here to visit the Food Hero website.
Well Nourished
The numbers below show the difference between the actual and targeted percentages in several categories and groups as they relate to being well nourished.
% of adolescents (grades 9–12) eating 2 or more fruits daily
- Actual Value 31%
- Target Value 40%
% of adolescents (grades 9–12) eating 3 or more vegetables daily
- Actual Value 18%
- Target Value 20%
Story Behind the Curve
Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with decreased risk of obesity and chronic disease. Best practices indicate that consuming the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables is beneficial. At every meal, half of the plate should be filled with fruits and vegetables. Children who eat fruits and vegetables are more likely to continue to eat healthy as adults.
% of adults eating 2 or more fruits daily in 2018
- Actual Value 32%
- Target Value 45%
% of adults eating 3 or more vegetables daily in 2018
- Actual Value 20%
- Target Value 35%
Join Us!
Check out these upcoming events dealing with being well-nourished.
NEK Prosper! Network Meeting
April 3 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pmVeggie Van Go
April 20 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amNEK Prosper! Network Meeting
May 1 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pmVeggie Van Go
May 18 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amNEK Prosper! Network Meeting
June 5 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Tools and Resources:
The Well Nourished CAN is trying to turn the curve to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in our region.
How to Get Involved:
CAN members have strong expertise, influence, interest and/or resources in area of focus.
The Well Nourished CAN meets the second Tuesday of every month from 2 – 3 pm at the Vermont Department of Health in St. Johnsbury. During COVID-19 we have been holding virtual meetings.
Currently Well Nourished CAN members include representatives from:
- Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital
- UVM Extension
- Salvation Farms
- NEK Community Action and Head Start
- VT Department of Health
- Neighbors In Action
- NEK Council on Aging
- Community members
If you are interested in joining the CAN or want to learn more about our work contact Heather Lindstrom at Heather.Lindstrom@vermont.gov
Food Hero at the White Markets
Coming soon! Look for point of sale displays with seasonal Food Hero recipes in the produce sections at all 3 White Market locations. Scan the QR code to go directing to healthy, tasty, and budget friendly recipes on the Food Hero website.
Gallery Images from the Well Nourished CAN
Women getting vegetables.
Woman laughing and smiling with a puppy at our food event.
Woman Standing at an open house with tray of vegetables.
