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Community News and Media

Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market First Summer Meal Program Feeds 50+ Kids

July 1, 2016

In addition to being known by Trenton residents as a community hub for health and wellness, the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market is now recognized as the first farmers market in the state to participate in the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program. Sponsored by the USDA, the program helps ensure that children age 18 and under receive a nutritious and balanced meal when school is not in session. The program kicked off on Monday, June 27th, with 50 children receiving free dinners that included milk, fruit, vegetables, grains, and protein. Meals will be served every Monday through August 29 from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm. “The summer meal program is a conscious addition to the culture of the health and wellness we are creating in Trenton,” said Marissa Davis, project director for the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids–Trenton.  “Our goal is to continue to foster a safe place for children […]

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Newark officials encouraging residents to experience the outdoors

June 21, 2016

Originally posted on FIOS1 Kicking off a local version of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move! Outside” campaign Mayor Ras Baraka helped kick off Newark’s version of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move! Outside” campaign, which includes projects and initiatives at parks nationwide. The goal is to fight childhood obesity and prepare young people to be stewards of the environment. SHARE:

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Newark Launches Let’s Move! Outside Initiative

June 21, 2016

Originally posted on WBGO News By Ang Santos, WBGO News Newark. May 11, 2016 The city of Newark has launched First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Outside Initiative, to promote health through outdoor family activities. David Jayo, senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior says Newark was one of fifty selected priority cities to represent the Let’s Move! Outside Initiative. “It really came down to three unique attributes that Newark has.  One…amazing parks, really throughout the entire city, with Military Park right in the middle.  The second is incredible non-profit partners that are dedicated towards conservation, and recreation in youth.  The third is really incredible local leadership with a mayor that really cares deeply about this issue.” Mayor Ras Baraka says Newarkers can expect a series of park upgrades along with recreational activities to get kids outdoors. Newark YMCA president Michael Bright says the city can be a […]

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Vineland Explores Creation of a Healthy Food Network

June 21, 2016

New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Vineland (NJPHK-V) successfully introduced The Food Trust’s Healthy Corner Store Initiative into Vineland. As a result, over 25 corner stores have expanded the sale and marketing of affordable, nutritious food to residents in lower-income communities, which often have limited access to healthy food choices. Now Live Healthy Vineland is exploring the feasibility of expanding the corner store model to create a Healthy Food Network, consisting of food pantries and restaurants, as well as corner stores. “The broader network will take into consideration all areas where food is accessible,” said David Calderetti, NJPHK-V Project Manager. Live Healthy Vineland has applied for a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to underwrite the effort. In the meantime, they are surveying Vineland food pantry directors and consulting with restaurant owners to create a strategic plan for expansion that will consider potential obstacles and opportunities to […]

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Vineland Fourth Fridays Integrate Park Hop Fun

June 21, 2016

Park Hop, which offered Vineland residents opportunities to engage in planned physical activity at various Vineland city parks, was a welcome event last summer and this spring. But finding ways to sustain Park Hop activities through community and volunteer efforts has been less successful…until now. Starting in May, Park Hop-type activities became part of Vineland Fourth Fridays. “Instead of organizing and coordinating separate events, we are combining Park Hop with Fourth Fridays and providing fun physical activities for kids,” said David Calderetti, Project Manager of New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids-Vineland (NJPHK-V). One activity that helps kids move more is giant Tic-Tac-Toe, where two teams of participants run and drop bean bags on open squares to make the X and win the game. The activity combines both physical activity and mental stimulation. Calderetti said that Live Healthy Vineland also is looking for more opportunities to piggyback on existing events and […]

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Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market Kicks Off Its Second Season

June 21, 2016

First Market to Provide Summer Meals for Kids With a successful launch during the summer of 2015 under its belt, the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market is bringing locally grown produce to Trenton residents every Monday, beginning June 13 through October 24 from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Local vendors offer visitors access to affordable, fresh, Jersey-grown fruits and vegetables and tropical fruits each week. The market also offers free health screening services for blood pressure, glaucoma, and body mass index (BMI), food demonstrations, exercise and free recipes for patrons to be able to make the healthy dishes at home. Residents using SNAP, WIC and SFMNP vouchers will also benefit from matching dollars for fruit and vegetables. This year’s opening day will be a fun community day complete with music, games and giveaways. Also, new this year, the Greenwood Ave. Farmers Market will be a USDA Summer Meal site for children […]

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NJPHK Healthy Family Retreat Inspires Joshua to Compete on Food Network’s Chopped Junior

June 21, 2016

To most people, Joshua Pantoja Jr. appears to be an ordinary kid.  In his spare time, he plays basketball, soccer, baseball and crazy kickball. But that’s where ordinary ends and extraordinary begins.  At 10 years old, this creative, talented and funny fourth grader from Hamilton, NJ, is a gourmet cook and has been honing his culinary craft since about age 8.  As early as age 5, he began spending a lot of time in the kitchen with his grandmother watching and learning how to cook different recipes.  Over the years, she taught him how to measure, as well as combine various Latin seasonings and flavorings. He also found himself consumed with cooking shows but was afraid to touch the stove because of his small stature. Joshua and his mother Magaly Pantoja were among the first group of families to attend the Frost Valley YMCA Healthy Family Retreat in November 2015. Located on more than 5,500 acres in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, the retreat was co-sponsored by the New Jersey Partnership for Healthy Kids.  During the weekend, Joshua learned how to make healthy apple turnovers and kale […]

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7 Steps to Hosting a Successful Ciclovia

June 21, 2016

A two-mile route beginning at Senior Street and ending at the corner of Joyce Kilmer and Juliet Street in New Brunswick, New Jersey was closed to traffic on Sunday, April 24th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm to make room for the first New Brunswick Ciclovia of 2016. The free, citywide event opened its streets to New Brunswick residents to promote healthy active living, with numerous activity stations along the route. As part of the event, residents walked, ran, biked and skateboarded in the streets.  Neighbors also engaged with one another through a variety of activities, including dance, yoga, and Zumba classes. In addition, participants were exposed to many of the city’s attractions, parks, and local businesses. According to New Brunswick Tomorrow’s Monica Reyes, “This year’s event also included health screenings, obstacle courses, a live band and admission to HereNow, the Zimmerli Art Museum’s digital gallery and exhibition which celebrated […]

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Camden Community Aims For Health and Summer Unity with ‘Connect The Lots’

June 21, 2016

A strong community is a powerful foundation for creating a culture of health. Connect the Lots is Camden’s community-driven initiative aimed at bringing the Camden community closer. With help from the Kresge Foundation, Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, the City of Camden, and local residents and stakeholders, this city-wide initiative is utilizing Camden’s under-used open spaces and vacant lots to host games, exercise classes, movie nights, artistic workshops and live music for its residents. From June to September 2016, many activities and events will be happening weekly in various lots and parks throughout the city including Pyne Poynt Park, Dudley Grange Park, and Roosevelt Plaza Park. Cooper’s Ferry Senior Project Manager Val Galarza hopes that Connect the Lots will get residents outside for the summer. “We want this event to showcase all the great places that Camden has to offer and get people moving and embracing the culture of health we’re building,” […]

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NJ Communities of Practice Speaker Shares How to Get Your Voice Heard

June 21, 2016

Your voice can be a powerful tool in pushing for social changes around the world. That’s according to Monifa Bandele, senior campaign director for food justice and children’s nutrition at MomsRising. Bandele gave advice about getting your voice heard above the noise in today’s super-connected world to 40+ local residents, nurses, and child obesity advocates during the “How to Use Your Superpowers and Get Your Voice Heard!” Workshop on June 1st at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, NJ. The event was sponsored by the New Jersey Healthy Communities Network as part of its Communities of Practice series. During the meeting, Bandele explained how MomsRising takes on the most critical issues facing women, mothers, and families by educating the public and mobilizing massive grassroots actions to: Bring the voices and real world experiences of women and mothers straight to our local, state, and national leaders; Amplify women’s voices and […]

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