From access to healthy food to the ways we move in our communities, we all adopt certain health behaviors for a variety of reasons. Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) work reaches the community level to foster ongoing change as part of a long-term, sustainable plan. PSE work can look very different depending on the site.

Community Sites

Community sites are great places to support healthy behaviors. In addition to being places where people can learn about nutrition and physical activity, Steps to Health can also assist with creating environments that encourage and support health and nutrition. Community sites might include public housing developments, community centers, congregate nutrition sites, homeless or domestic violence shelters, out-of-school time program sites, faith-based site, and work sites. These types of sites may have a broad reach, including community members, staff, residents, people who eat meals at the site, or community members who regularly utilize site amenities.

Faith-based organizations can be strong partners in imagining and implementing PSE change. Faith-based sites might include faith communities (any religious or faith tradition) or faith-based non-profit organizations. Faith-based sites have tangible and intangible strengths and assets that can help build and sustain change. They often have physical spaces like kitchens, meeting rooms, playgrounds, and/or land. One of their greatest strengths is people – participants, volunteers, lay leadership, and champions for health and well-being. Many faith communities and faith-based organizations have a missional focus and many are trusted institutions within communities. All of these strengths and assets can be leveraged in partnership to make impacts both within the organization and in the wider community.

For more information, reach out to Jackie Sugg at jackie_sugg@ncsu.edu or Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Schools

ECE sites and schools can be a promising place for change. Children are young enough to learn and form new habits; they eat meals and snacks on-site during the week; the sites are full of role models and mentors for children; and the sites generally have spaces designated for physical activity.

In addition to ECE sites/schools being places where students learn about nutrition and physical activity, Steps to Health wants to help ECE sites/schools create environments that encourage and support student health and wellbeing.

For more information, reach out to Emily Pendergrass at emily_foley@ncsu.edu or Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ markets can increase community access to healthy, local food during the peak of growing season. The produce found at farmers’ makers is usually grown near the site and therefore can be the freshest and best tasting. Plus, farmers’ markets traditionally supports local farmers, keeping the money spent on food in the community.

For more information, reach out to Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

Food Pantries

Hunger is a pervasive issue in North Carolina and across the United States. Many organizations and sectors come together to address this issue. Steps to Health can partner with food pantries to support their efforts to work toward nutrition security in their communities and to create environments that promote dignity and the ability to make healthy, culturally-appropriate choices for all clients.

For more information, reach out to Caren Maloy at caren_maloy@ncsu.edu or Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

Garden

Gardens are a great way for people to come together and grow their own fruits and vegetables, while being physical active and socially connected. Gardens can be various sizes and located at different sites including but not limited to: ECE sites, schools, parks, public housing, faith-based sites. Additionally, community gardens offer education on nutrition and opportunities for individuals to engage in physical activity.

For more information, reach out to Kyle Hood at wkhood@ncsu.edu or Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

Retail

Small food retail stores (corner stores, convenience stores, gas stations, country stores, bodegas, or mini-marts) can be convenient shopping options for people living in communities with limited access to larger grocery stores. In addition to supporting a healthier community, stocking and promoting healthy options can be an opportunity for small food retail stores to reach more customers, ultimately improving their business.

For more information, reach out to Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

Physical Activity & Active Living

Maintaining an active lifestyle can reduce the risk for serious health problems. Because resources for low-income residents can be limited, the ability to be physically active in their own neighborhoods is important. However, in many low-income neighborhoods, there are no sidewalks or they are not maintained, and there are few green spaces and bike paths available to residents. When the street environment includes sidewalks, designated bike lanes, streetlights, and easy connections to everyday destinations, it significantly increases the number of people that can safely walk, bike, and be active.

For more information, reach out to Lauren Morris at lauren_morris@ncsu.edu or Tammy Brunelle at tchaseb@ncsu.edu

For more information, check out our Moodle Page or reach out to Tammy Brunelle, Lead Food and Build Environment Extension Associate, tchaseb@ncsu.edu.