Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Food Access Committee

Description and Activities

This committee's intent is to provide a community-based approach to address limited access to healthy culturally appropriate food and opportunities for safe physical activity, factors that contribute to the development and complications associated with many chronic illnesses.

All Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Food Access committee meetings are open to the public. Partnership committee meetings have been held virtually using the Zoom platform since May 2020. Visit the Partnership calendar to view committee meeting dates, times and Zoom links.

Over 2022-2024, the committee plans to:

• Increase access to healthy foods
• Increase physical activity opportunities including Healthy Mile Trails
• Support the use of Durham Public Schools Nutrition meals

Read the 2022-2024 Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Food Access Community Health Improvement Plans

Leadership and Membership

Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Food Access Specialist

• Krista Kicsak

Current committee co-chairs:

• Kia Campbell
• Scott Brummel 

Meetings

The Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Food Access committee meets on the Second Wednesday of each month from 9:00-10:00 am via Zoom. Meetings generally include updates from the various working groups, time to work on strategies to improve health in Durham, and opportunities to partner on grants.

Meetings are open to the public. Community members are encouraged to attend. You can find the meeting calendar here.

Past accomplishments include:

• Development of School Meals Frequently Asked Questions documents in partnership with Durham Public Schools Nutrition Services
• Opening of a Healthy Checkout Aisle pilot in a grocery store in North East Central Durham (Los Primos)
• Development of Healthy Mile trails to bring exercise to the neighborhood
• Bull City Play Streets events close downtown Durham’s streets to motorized vehicles and open them to biking, walking, playing and physical activity
• Helped revise the Durham Public School Wellness Policy
  Initiated a student-led School Wellness Committee at each high school with support from volunteer health professionals and school-based mentors
• Creation of Durham Eating Smart Moving More fold-out brochure and map that is available in many area physician offices and community locations
• Pilot of an after-school healthy snack program in six sites
• Focus groups with residents on nutrition and community gardens
• Collaboration between SNAP (food stamps) and Durham Public School's free and reduced lunch program so that families who were eligible for SNAP automatically received an application for school lunches
• Numerous joint proposals on childhood obesity, community gardens, and cooking classes

Publications and Reports of the Committee

• Durham Eating Smart Moving More map and brochure. This is an easy-to-read map of Durham's parks, schools, trails, recreation centers, senior centers, and more. Learn which parks and recreation centers have basketball courts, playgrounds, and pools.  English (4MB)      Spanish (5.4MB)

Resources Related to the Work and Mission of the Committee

Physical Activity Resources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity
An overview of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in the U.S.
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/index.html

Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina
The Burden of Obesity
This site has power point slide shows that cover many of the factors involved with the obesity epidemic in North Carolina.
http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/ObesityInNC/ObesityInNC.html

Eat Smart, Move More: North Carolina's Plan to Prevent Overweight, Obesity and Chronic Diseases Evidence Resource List
http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/TheEvidence/TheEvidence.html

Partnership for a Healthy Durham

Free and Low-Cost Physical Activity Resource:    English Version      Spanish Version

These PDF documents identify resources available to residents in Durham County that are free or low-cost. 

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Site includes a news digest, grant opportunities, and research pertaining to obesity, nutrition and physical activity.
http://www.rwjf.org/pr/topic.jsp?topicid=1024

Nutrition Resources

2024 Holiday Food Resources

Form to submit resources Link to submitted resources

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Fruit and Veggies More Matters Website
Information about the importance of fruits and vegetables and helpful tips for increasing fruit and vegetable intake.
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/index.html

USDA Team Nutrition Materials Database
Educational and training materials related to food and nutrition.
http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/schoolmeals/Resource_Cafe/Resource_Search.php

International Food Information Council
Timely information and resources on nutrition and food safety.
http://www.ific.org/index.cfm

American Dietetic Association
The world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Site includes position papers, brochures, tip sheets and much more.
www.eatright.org

USDA Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC)
FNIC Resource Lists help nutrition professionals and consumers locate information and materials for specific food and nutrition topics. Compiled by Nutrition Information Specialists, the lists provide resources in a variety of formats including articles, pamphlets, books, audio-visuals, and Web site links.
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=1&tax_subject=252