Community / Project Resources

Stepping out of the WIC Box: A Community Effort to Improve Access to Healthy Foods in Oceana County, MI

By District Health Department #10

District Health Department #10 created this poster to highlight their local work encouraging healthy food choices in stores and restaurants and creating partnerships to strengthen their referral system. This poster was developed as part of the CPHMC project and presented at NWA’s Annual Conference in May 2016.

This project sought to reduce the impact of chronic diseases in Oceana County, MI, through policy, system, and environmental strategies that improve access to healthy foods and beverages and that strengthen community and clinical linkages. The “Healthy Families of Oceana County” coalition (HFOC) collaborated with local retailers, healthcare providers, and community agencies to develop a variety of projects, including: promotional materials that encourage healthy food choices at grocery stores, food pantries, and restaurants; a “Rx for Healthy Families” prescription pad that enables healthcare providers to refer patients to the WIC program; and a comprehensive resource guide that informs residents about local services. As a result of the initiative, the HFOC coalition has helped to generate a message within the community about the impact of healthy behaviors on long-term health.

View Resource

Date Added
December 4, 2017

Citation
District Health Department #10 (2016) Stepping out of the WIC Box: A Community Effort to Improve Access to Healthy Foods in Oceana County, MI. Available online: https://thewichub.sfo2.digitaloceanspaces.com/2017/10/DHD-10-Poster-Draft-1.pdf