HEALTHY CHESAPEAKE INC

HEALTHY CHESAPEAKE DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF HEALTHY FOOD AND COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY. THIS PROGRAM HAS THREE MAIN ARMS, INCLUDING SUPPORTING COMMUNITY GARDENS, NUTRITION EDUCATION, AND PREPARATION OF HEALTHY FOOD. FISCAL YEAR 2025 EFFORTS INCLUDED: 1)SUPPORTING 19 COMMUNITY GARDENS IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS FOR CITY RESIDENTS MOST IN NEED. THIS INCLUDED DOUBLING THE CAPACITY OF THE LIBRARY GARDEN IN A FOOD DESERT THAT HAS TRULY IMPACTED AN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH CHILDREN EATING FRESH PRODUCE RIGHT OUT OF THE GARDEN AND CREATING THE WARREN FARMS, VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, AND HEALTHY CHESAPEAKE COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND PRODUCTION GARDEN 2)COORDINATING A FOOD IS MEDICINE PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE NUTRITION EDUCATION AND GARDENING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE IN NEED. THE PROGRAM INCLUDED A ROOFTOP GARDEN TOUR, CHRONIC DISEASE RESOURCES, STRESS-REDUCTION TECHNIQUES, AND SEED PLANTING. INITIAL SURVEY RESULTS SHOWED 90% OF FAMILIES REPORTED IMPROVED FOOD LITERACY, COOKING SKILLS, AND MOTIVATION TO TRY NEW FOODS, 75% FELT MOTIVATED TO CONTINUE NEW EXERCISE ACTIVITIES, AND 100% FOUND LEARNING ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND PLANT CARE BENEFICIAL AND WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM AND WOULD RETURN. 3)SUPPORTING FORKIDS, A REGIONAL NONPROFIT THAT SUPPORTS A HOMELESS SHELTER FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WITH COOKING AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEALTHY MEALS TO RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS MEALS TO THEIR AFTER-SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. OVER 72,000 MEALS WERE SERVED TO FORKIDS PARTICIPANTS IN BOTH LOCATIONS.

HEALTHY CHESAPEAKE DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY ACTIVE LIFESTYLES FOR SENIORS AND CHILDREN WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE LACK ACCESS TO THESE OPPORTUNITIES. FISCAL YEAR 2025, EFFORTS INCLUDED: 1)CONVENING WITH PARTNERS TO SUPPORT OUR SENIORS PROVIDING DEMOS WITH HEALTHY RECIPES, FRESH PRODUCE, EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, AND ACTIVITY ITEMS. FACILITATED FOOD DONATIONS FROM OTHER PARTNERS TO 55+ COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORTED THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION'S AGRICULTURAL AND HEALTHY EATING CLASSES. 2)PARTICIPATING IN MULTICULTURAL AND FAMILY-CENTERED EVENTS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL AGE PARTICIPANTS. THE PROGRAM DISTRIBUTED FRESH FRUITS, RECIPES, SUPPLIES, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS WITH OVER 2,000 SERVED. 3)TRAINING LOCAL LIBRARY STAFF TO USE HEALTHY CHESAPEAKE'S MOBILE KITCHENS, ENABLING MAJOR HILLARD AND INDIAN RIVER LIBRARIES TO OFFER COOKING CLASSES LED BY SERVSAFE CERTIFIED STAFF, AMPLIFYING THE DELIVERY OF NUTRITION EDUCATION