Towns Expand Access to Healthy Food

The towns of Fuquay-Varina and Zebulon have much to be proud of and to celebrate. They are changing the face of their communities so that nutritional and affordable food is a regular choice of many children and families. [more]

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Five Grants Awarded Totaling More Than $800,000

The John Rex Endowment announces the approval of $824,106 in funding for five grants to organizations that support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children. Recipients include Natural Learning Initiative of the College of Design at NC State University, Salvation Army of Wake County, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine Program on Integrative Medicine, Advocates for Health in Action and PLM Families Together. [more]

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Municipalities Consider Impact of Health in All Policies

Community and individual health is influenced by more than just individual choices.  Based on the idea that health starts with where people live, work, learn and play some municipalities are embracing Health in All Policies (HiAP). The collaborative approach helps communities improve the health of all people by incorporating health considerations into decision-making across sectors and policy areas.  Active Living by Design (ALBD) and Advocates for Health in Action (AHA) invited Bill Lindsay, city manager for Richmond, CA to speak with our local leaders about Health in All Policies strategies that are helping to improve the health of community residents in Richmond.

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Zebulon Fights Food Desert Concerns

Less than a year after receiving a three-year grant from the John Rex Endowment, the Town of Zebulon opened a Farm Fresh Market in May 2015. The Zebulon Community Center is now transformed weekly for a Saturday market, where residents connect and select healthy foods for the week.   “With the new ma…

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York Elementary PTA Collaborates to Create Play Space for Active Learning

Children and families at J.W. York Elementary School now have access to an interactive discovery playground and track where they learn while on the move. It all started with an engaged group of PTA members who were committed to trying something new with a comprehensive playground renovation to integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) into their playground and merge student physical activity with outdoor class time.

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Wake County SmartStart Receives Grant for Farm to Child Care Project

The John Rex Endowment has awarded Wake County SmartStart (WCSS) $675,639 for a Farm to Child Care project to help more than 160 child care facilities make changes so it becomes the norm to prepare and serve fresh, local produce for snacks and meals throughout growing seasons. WCSS will focus on child care facilities in Wake County that serve low-income families and children who need improved access to healthy, nutritious food.

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Six Municipalities Awarded Grants to Improve Healthy Eating and Active Living

The John Rex Endowment announces six three-year grants totaling more than $1.25 million to help municipalities in Wake County create healthier environments for children by increasing access to healthy foods and active living opportunities. Municipalities that will receive grant support include Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Knightdale, Morrisville, Raleigh and Zebulon.

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Child Care Centers Work to Prevent Childhood Obesity

A Safe Place Child Enrichment Center is one of eight child care centers participating in Preventing Obesity by Design (POD-Wake), which is supported by a three-year grant from the John Rex Endowment.  Each center is transforming its outdoor area into active, productive, learning environments through design assistance and training led by NC State University Natural Learning Initiative (NLI).

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New Grant Awards Total More Than $675,000

The John Rex Endowment announces an investment of more than $675,000 for seven grants to support the physical, mental and emotional well-being of children in greater Wake County. Grant recipients include InterAct, Duke Center for Child and Family Policy, Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute, Haven House Services, Lucy Daniels Center, Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education and Triangle Family Services.

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