Today, Thursday, May 19 from 2 – 3 pm, Healthy Archuleta, dba FSFE – Food Coalition, will host a community conversation that will continue to engage the healthcare community and everyday residents about the types of preventive and primary care services that are available in Archuleta County. This week we will focus on eye health with Mountain Eye Care. Healthy Archuleta, in partnership with Archuleta County, is working to complete a community health assessment over the next couple of years. We are looking at two broad questions that will help capture people’s voices/experiences related to food and preventative healthcare issues and opportunities in Archuleta County.
Today’s conversation will continue to focus on our community’s experience as it relates to preventative health care access and utilization (coverage, timeliness, workforce, and service). According to HealthCare.gov “Preventative services is defined as routine health care that includes screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems.”
Join us on Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83978862954 for the virtual meeting. For questions please contact us at fsfearchuleta@gmail.org or 401-371-3227.
Register to Vote & Preview Community Health (Food and Nutrition) Initiatives for May 22-25 Input
Healthy Archuleta is hosting a Participatory Voting May 22-25. Voters will decide which areas Healthy Archuleta will put at the forefront of its work over the next two years. Healthy Archuleta dba FSFE – Food Coalition conducts assessments, secures resources, and supports community initiatives relating to food and nutrition that can advance the health of our community. We are asking that you look over the various focus areas and tell us what matters most to you.
In order to participate:
1. Please complete the voter REGISTRATION FORM at https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/participatory-voting.html
Everyone must register to vote. Voting is either online or in person. Vote in person at:
- Methodist Church 434 Lewis St. upstairs at the Food Coalition Office Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am-3pm.
- Ruby Sisson Library 811 San Juan St – Monday 5/23 from 3-6 pm and Tuesday 3-7 pm
2. Please watch the VIDEOS for each focus area on our website:
Community Food & Nutrition Education Program
This proposal aims to improve levels of nutrition security through family and children’s education. The effort of this program is to build capacity in individuals and families here in Archuleta County by teaching participants how to grow food, prepare locally/regionally grown/produced foods and heritage dishes with consideration for food safety, stretch food dollars, prevent food waste, and support those interested in cottage food production.
Design of Local Food Hub
This proposal is aimed at designing a community Food Hub which can support resilience and sustainability of food production in ARchuleta County. A Food Hub is a space that supports local foods and community. This proposal would involve conducting a participatory design process that would engage the community in identifying the elements of the space (commercial kitchen, teaching space, food distribution center, others?) and designing something that would benefit the community.
Free Food Mobile Market
This proposal aims to implement a free food mobile access service that uses two approaches to increase nutrition security for community members who are unable to visit one of the six existing food pantries. The Free Food Mobile Market will deliver food bags to designated host sites throughout the community and provide delivery service of foods directly to community members’ homes if they are unable to get to a host site.
Grow More Local Produce
This proposal is aimed at supporting increased and sustained local food production in Archuleta County. This program attempts to increase the number of growers by supporting more growing spaces (backyards, patios, indoor home environments as well as in more public and home ownership spaces). This program will also help support more local farms to both increase production and extend the growing season.
Nutrition Security Health Navigator Program
This proposal aims to increase nutrition security in Archuleta County through community-based programs, as well as providing nutrition food navigation between medical providers and their patients. This proposal would connect patients with tele-health dietetic counseling services, resources to improve food/nutrition security, health education, and other related community-based programs.
3. Please look for an email on May 22 with your username and password for the online voting platform.
4. FINALLY— Cast your vote between May 22 – May 25!
For questions please contact us at fsfearchuleta@gmail.org or 401-371-3227.
To donate to support the work of Healthy Archuleta dba FSFE-Food Coalition please visit our website: https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/donate.html.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.