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Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Local Farmers

Written on: June 8th, 2010 in Agriculture

May was a great month for healthy living in Delaware:

I signed Executive Order Nineteen, creating the Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, which will conduct an assessment, develop an overarching statewide strategy on promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing related diseases, and establish measurable outcomes. 

We also had Strawberry Week to highlight the contributions of our farmers; promote healthy, local eating; and celebrate the fact that all 19 Delaware school districts are participating in our Farm-to-School Program.  The program provides healthy, fresh food for school children, educates youth about foods grown in their communities and expands market opportunities for local farms.  

Dr. Oz came to visit and brought Healthcorps with him. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the host of “The Dr. Oz Show” and Vice-Chair and Professor of Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, graduated from high school in Delaware.  With the help of Nemours, he launched his innovative health movement to Delaware.

We’ve kicked June off to a great start as well: I was thrilled to see around 1500 girls participating in Saturday’s Girls on the Run race.  Summer is upon us, and I hope everyone stays healthy by enjoying the Delaware State Parks Trail Challenge and our many fresh Farmers’ Markets!

Tags: agriculture, Delaware, economic development, farms, fresh vegetables, Governor Jack Markell, health, healthy eating, local, local food, nutrition, strawberries