Proper nutrition is essential in keeping current and future generations of Savannahians healthy across the lifespan. The availability of healthy, affordable food contributes to a person’s diet and risk of related chronic diseases.
People who eat a healthy diet live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Eating healthier can help manage these conditions and prevent complications. Additionally, breastfeeding helps protect against childhood illnesses, including ear and respiratory infections, and asthma.
We seek an environment where the healthy choice is the easy choice. In nutrition, this means that in both food retail and community settings, having the option to select nutritious, healthful foods over sugary, processed ones can empower our community. Thus, creating and supporting healthy food environments is an important part of our public health work.
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Savannah Corner Store Program Awarded $10k City Grant
April 11, 2022 – Six local stores are now participating in the Corner Store Initiative to make healthy food choices the easy choice in small retail stores that are often the only source of food in some of Savannah’s low-wealth neighborhoods. The program experienced challenges during the COVID pandemic, but is now beginning to thrive…
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Healthy Savannah launches new initiative to help tackle food apartheid
SAVANNAH, Ga, (WSAV) – A new initiative has launched in the hostess city, helping make healthy food options the easy choice to make in local grocery stores. “So this initiative is the healthy checkout initiative, and we’re trying to encourage stores and local grocery stores to have healthy produce close to those checkout aisles,” said…
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Healthy Savannah moves fresh food to the front of the line
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTGS) — Healthy Savannah partnered with the YMCA for an initiative to make healthy food options convenient for shoppers by placing produce next to the checkout. Saturday, they launched this program at Jones’ Red and White in Habersham Village. “This is a problem that we’re experiencing nationwide, which is again, food apartheid: the…
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Healthy Savannah urges donations of healthy foods during holidays
Nearly 160,000 people in Coastal Georgia struggle with food insecurity, and many families turn to food pantries for additional assistance, especially during the holidays. However, healthy options are not always available for those in need. All too often, they must rely on inexpensive, unhealthy foods because that’s all that’s available. “If we want to be…
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Healthy Savannah and YMCA Encourage Savannah Stores to Provide Healthier Options at Checkout
In Chatham County, 17.6% of all residents are food insecure and 21.8% of children are food insecure, with the accessibility and affordability of healthy food disproportionately impacting certain communities. Healthy Savannah believes change is urgently needed to forge a path towards health equity and has mapped out a plan to get there. Read the whole…
Savannah: ‘Georgia Food Oasis’ Community!
Savannah is one of five new Georgia Food Oasis communities! The Healthy Savannah Coalition’s application was approved based on the successes of many of our partners including Forsyth Farmers’ Market, UGA Chatham County Extension, Savannah Urban Garden Alliance, and many others! We are now one of eight GFO communities in Georgia which seek to connect…
Speak Up for a Healthy Savannah
Health starts where we live, learn, work, and play. Over 35,000 Savannahians live in areas without access to healthy food. When people lack access to healthy food, they are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Healthy Food Financing Initiatives (HFFI) are a proven strategy in…
The State of Obesity in Georgia
The State of Obesity, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to both raising awareness about the obesity epidemic and promoting obesity prevention strategies, recently issued its annual report. To results are sobering, yet unsurprising. In five states adult obesity rates exceed 35 percent, while in 25 additional states obesity rates top 30 percent. Despite these discouraging…
Nutrition 101 – Healthy Weight
“A healthy body weight honors me – and my faith. It’s an established fact that overweight is a significant contributor to disease and premature death. And that’s not the life you were created to live! Treat your body like the sacred vehicle it is by keeping your weight in check. It will honor both you…
Make It Local
On April 1, 2015 the Healthy Savannah coalition received a one year Plan4Health grant from the CDC via the American Planning Association and American Public Health Association to increase opportunities for Chatham County residents to engage in healthy behaviors, specifically eating healthy foods. Project strategies include a food system needs assessment, a healthy food distribution…
Farm Truck 912-The Forsyth Farmers’ Market
Thanks to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation’s Live Well. Be Well. initiative, Forsyth Farmers’ Market has created Farm Truck 912, a mobile farmers’ market that brings local fruits and vegetables to Savannah neighborhoods with the least access to healthy food. Farm Truck 912 both accept and double SNAP/EBT benefits and offer health and nutrition opportunities! The current Farm…
Recipe Substitutions for the Holidays
Want to create a healthier holiday meal for your family? Look to see if your recipe calls for any of the ingredients below and experiment. Each ingredient can be equally substituted unless otherwise noted.
Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal…YUM!
Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 6 Ingredients: 2 ripe bananas, mashed 3 cups reduced-fat or fat-free milk ¼ cup peanut butter 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon chia seeds 1 cup steel cut oats Optional: 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar for sweetness Topping: Additional sliced bananas Instructions: Mix first 6 ingredients in…
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Frightfully Healthy Halloween
As the summer greeneries begin to change to autumn oranges and reds and cool air blows in, we tend to make variations in our healthy eating habits. We often treat ourselves to foods that make us feel good, but may not be so good for our health. Remember some, but not all comfort foods can…
Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 8 Ingredients 3.5 lb. pork tenderloin 1 small white onion, thinly sliced 1 cup apple cider ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tsp ground cinnamon 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 bay leaf Instructions Place half the onions in the slow cooker. Place…
Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken
Prep time: 10 mins Servings: 4 Ingredients 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cumin Salt & pepper to taste 1 can no-salt added diced tomatoes 1 can reduced-sodium black beans, drained & rinsed 1 cup frozen corn 3 green onions ¼ cup cilantro 1 can reduced-sodium…
Group Grocery Store Tours
Group Grocery Store Tours: Free Introduction to Saving You Money & Eating Healthier Come out for a fun, free grocery store tour in Savannah, GA. Myra Giddens is a Savannah local and recently joined the No Kid Hungry program. In August, she will begin offering free tours of grocery stores to assist low-income families, or…
Mexican Pinwheels
Mexican Pinwheels From Super Healthy Kids Ingredients: 8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup salsa 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 pound cooked chicken breasts 3 stalks green onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 Tbsp taco seasoning 4 medium whole wheat tortillas Directions: 1. Put everything but the tortillas…
Guidelines for Food Drives and Food Bank Donations
Foods high in fat, oils, and sugar provide calories, but few nutrients. These foods make up a high percentage of many diets because they are cheap and easy to find. However, it’s important to provide healthful foods for those with limited financial resources to supplement their restricted choices with healthy alternatives. You should prioritize WHOLE…
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Maintaining a Healthy Household
By Brittany Lightsey, MS, RD, LD Parents often come to my office defeated, tired, and overwhelmed. Feeding a busy household is a tough job. Set household rules to keep your family on track (and to keep your sanity!). Here are some strategies that are key to a happy, healthy home. Set structured meal and…
Surviving the Holidays
For those of us trying to maintain healthy habits, the holiday season is often overwhelming. There are school parties, work potlucks and family get-togethers. You more than likely will indulge in decadent foods on more than one occasion. While this registered dietitian does not expect you to be perfect this holiday season, I do hope…
Benefits of Buying Local
Among many other fall celebrations, strive to feed your family more local, whole foods in October. Food Day is celebrated on October 24 and is a day dedicated to inspiring Americans to change their diets and food policies. One way to improve your diet is to buy locally grown produce. You can find local foods…