"Good Nutrition Makes Sense for Schools"
Nationwide, school districts were required to adopt a wellness policy prior to the start of the 2006/2007 school year. Many schools in Washington State started the process the prior year. Many excellent policies have been written. These speak to the issues that schools in North Central Washington value, whether it is a school garden, the use of local produce, updated fitness programs, or improved vending machine choices.
Steps to a HealthierUS technical assistance remains available as schools continue to adopt, implement and evaluate their policies. Rather than being static documents, a wellness policy should reflect the changing needs of a school, its students and staff.
Date : 03/09/07
Steps “Healthiest Business Challenge” Promotes Worksite Wellness for Local Companies
The Healthiest Business Challenge is a point-based challenge designed to promote healthy choices and behaviors at the worksite. The Challenge focuses on reducing asthma, diabetes and obesity by helping your business incorporate practices that increase activity, improve nutrition, and prevent tobacco use at the worksite.
Points are awarded for a variety of things from having walking programs to healthy meeting snacks and written tobacco policies. Points are then tallied monthly and updates are featured monthly in the Wenatchee Business Journal. The winners in each category for "2006" were as follows: Large Category: Central Washington Hospital; Medium Category: Link Transit; Small Category: Homchick, Smith & Associates; Extra Small Category: River Park Dental, Office of Dr. Gary Pape. These businesses were honored at the Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce "Business of the Year Banquet" in February at the Wenatchee Convention Center.
The 2007 Healthiest Business Challenge began this year August 6, 2007 and ends November 18, 2007. The first place leaders in each category for the month of August are: Large category - Columbia Valley Community Health; Medium category - Top Foods; Small category - Homchick, Smith & Associates; Extra-Small category - North Central Washington Rural Health Foundation, (NCWRHF).
Date: 10/04/07
