Recent Stories
March 2, 2017
L-R: Darrin Anderson (Deputy Director, NJPHK), Bob Atkins (Director of NJHI), Kim Fortunato (President, Campbell Soup Foundation), and Jerome Williams (Exec. Vice Chancellor, Rutgers-Newark) On February 15th, 2017, 50 members gathered at Campbell Soup Company headquarters in Camden, NJ for the ‘Investing in a Healthy Future: The Benefits of Regional Wellbeing conference. NJPHK Deputy Director Darrin Anderson served as a panelist, along with colleagues Robert Atkins, national program director, New Jersey Health Initiatives) and Jerome D. Williams, provost and executive vice chancellor, Rutgers University – Newark. Moderated by Kim Fortunato, president of the Campbell Soup Foundation, the panelists discussed topics related to improving and empowering children’s health in local communities. At the close of the program, each panelist was asked to choose one thing they would change immediately. Anderson indicated he would change poverty’s overall impact on children and their health. “Good health habits should be implemented at every age,” […]
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March 2, 2017
NJ Commissioner of Health Cathleen Bennett addresses the crowd of grantee representatives during the NJHCN Year 2 Kickoff Meeting. The New Jersey Healthy Communities Network (NJHCN) met on February 16th at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton to celebrate the past year’s successes and discuss plans for the future. The event was attended by nearly 120 individuals representing grantees and community partners from across the state. “Good health is crucial to our communities, and I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made over the past year,” said New Jersey YMCA State Alliance executive director Bill Lovett in his welcoming address. Erin Bunger, a senior research assistant at Montclair State University, shared the 2016 evaluation. Some of the highlights included supporting 42 statewide communities, create 26 new healthy living opportunities, have 18 new stores participate in the Healthy Corner Store initiative, and 9,110 students statewide received a school breakfast during the […]
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March 2, 2017
New Jersey is now in the top 20 nationwide for ensuring that more low-income students start their school day with a healthy morning meal, giving them the nutrition they need to concentrate and learn, according to a national report released today. The Food Research and Action Center’s (FRAC) School Breakfast Scorecard found that New Jersey’s participation rate increased 6 percent, pushing it to 19th place. The report stated nearly 59 percent of low-income students who ate lunch at school also received breakfast in 2015-16. New Jersey ranked 23rd last year and 46th in 2011, before the launch of the NJ Food for Thought Campaign, which has been credited with fueling the increase in school breakfast participation. Also, Jersey City ranked 2nd, and Newark was 5th nationwide for their high student participation rates, according to FRAC’s School Breakfast – Making it Work in Large School Districts. “This is great news for New […]
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March 2, 2017
You’ve labored over your brackets. It’s now time to get ready to watch the numerous college basketball games and cross your fingers that you’ve picked the winning team. But unlike the Super Bowl, March Madness is not a one-night food fest. It goes on for weeks beginning March 12 through April 3. And, if you’re not careful how you indulge during this time, you can end up with an expanded waistline or the dreaded freshman 15. According to Womanista Wellness, you don’t have to give up your healthy food options to have fun. Below is a list they ‘ve compiled of delectable and satisfying treats that are bound to be favorites among your family and friends. Greek Quesadilla: We know that quesadillas are considered to be dangerous territory by those of us who are watching our waistline, but this skinny recipe is an irresistible addition to your family’s dinner table during the Madness! It’s quick to make, full of nutritious and tasty […]
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March 2, 2017
Dr. Kathleen Morgan’s distinguished academic and professional career has a clear focus: to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities through health promotion efforts and to reduce chronic disease. She chairs the Family and Community Health Sciences Department, Rutgers Cooperative Extension at Rutgers University. She provides leadership to national projects related to nutrition, chronic disease prevention, and health promotion. She is also a member of many prominent societies and associations related to her field of expertise. And she has been an invaluable supporter on NJPHK since its inception–receiving a Culture of Health Award for her work. Good health through proper nutrition has been a part of Morgan’s life since she can remember. As someone who grew up in a time when boxed food and fast food were taking over the local markets, eating healthy was a somewhat radical notion. Equally radical was her career path. Morgan didn’t attend college […]
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February 13, 2017
In celebration of American Heart Month in February, NJPHK is highlighting the American Heart Association (AHA). AHA is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. One in every three deaths is from heart disease and stroke–equal to 2,200 deaths per day. Founded in 1924, the AHA consists of millions of supporters and volunteers and advocates for stronger public health policies to improve lives nationally. Two years ago, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Heart Association formed Voices for Healthy Kids, a collaborative effort created to promote policies that ensure children live in communities where they have an opportunity to grow up healthy. The American Heart Association has also worked with the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and the Food Trust to support the New Jersey Healthy Corner Store Initiative, a […]
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February 13, 2017
Barbara George Johnson Executive Director John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy Thomas Edison State University National African American History Month in February honors the contributions that African-Americans have made to American history. NJPHK is proud to celebrate Barbara George Johnson, a public health advocate and 2014 recipient of the NJPHK Healthy Kids Champion Award. George Johnson brings more than 22 years of experience as a public policy professional to New Jersey. She oversees the six policy centers housed at the John S. Watson Institute: The centers focus on early childhood education, urban environmental issues, public health, civic engagement and leadership development, capacity building, and the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA). The NJUMA is a nonpartisan organization comprised of the 31 largest municipalities in the state. Barbara manages legislative analysis, regional economic development, public safety and other policy issues for the NJUMA. Before her current role, Barbara served as […]
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February 13, 2017
Since the startup of the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market in June 2015, Michelle Brill, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, Amanda Skahan Grasso, Miss Snow, and volunteer Barbara Inman-Clark from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County have educated numerous Trenton families about nutrition and healthy eating on a weekly basis. From curly kale slaw to fruit kabobs, you’ll find Michelle and her team preparing and hosting food tasting sessions—all to promote recipes that contribute to a healthier way of life. In recognition of this innovative partnership with the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market, Michelle Brill received national, state and regional awards from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS). Presented during NEAFCS’s annual conference in Big Sky, Montana in the Fall of 2016, the award recognized Brill for her efforts in building community partnerships to meet the educational needs and concerns of families. “Michelle and her team have made such an impact on our ability to make the healthy choice the easy choice […]
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February 13, 2017
In February, Courtney Price, project director of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Newark (NJPHK-Newark) will begin a new chapter in her career as a public health analyst with Northrup Grumman, a consulting organization that works with the Center for Disease Control. Since joining NJPHK-Newark in 2011, Price has worked to promote the importance of healthy living in the city of Newark, NJ. Under her leadership, initiatives such as the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) program and ‘Let’s Move! In the Clinic, have been instrumental in building health advocates for physical activity and healthy foods for children. Price has also remained committed to showing local communities the importance of reversing childhood obesity trends by helping to promote the Newark Healthy Corner Store initiative. “Courtney has been an essential part in shaping the culture of health for Newark, and we thank her for her unwavering commitment,” said Darrin Anderson, deputy director […]
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February 13, 2017
On January 9th, Stockton University hosted the Nourishing Communities: Ingredients for Success Food Summit in Atlantic County. The conference was attended by state and local representatives who shared a similar goals – learning and sharing ways to improve food insecurity across communities in southern New Jersey. The Cumberland Cape YMCA and the Food Trust hosted a table at the event, educating participants about food access and the importance of healthy corner stores. “It’s encouraging to see that everyone has a desire to make changes in their local communities,” said David Calderetti, project director for New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids – Vineland. “Everyone should have access to healthy foods.” Other table hosts at the Summit focused on topics such as summer feeding programs, community gardens, mobile pantries, and farm-to-school programs. To learn more about the Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA, please visit their website here. SHARE:
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