Healthy Eating
The foods that people and communities have access to impact their risk for certain chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, tooth decay and some cancers. Despite Minnesota’s reputation of being a rich agricultural state, too many Minnesotans cannot find fresh fruits and vegetables near their homes or what they can find is limited and expensive.
Our communities, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces have a role to play in supporting access to the fruits and vegetables that keep us and our neighbors healthy and fed, now and into the future.
SHIP’s Community Healthy Living initiative is dedicated to creating healthier food environments by increasing access to affordable, appealing, healthy, and culturally relevant food and beverage options. The vision for this work is that all people in Minnesota experience an equitable, just, nourishing and resilient food system that is responsive to change. The strategic directions of this vision are:
- Work in partnership with community to assess and shape their food system, considering culturally diverse assets and opportunities across multiple sectors.
- Strengthen cross-sector and cross-setting connections to increase healthy and culturally appropriate food access at every age and in every place.
- Work in partnership to build a resilient local food system that benefits the health of consumers and producers, while protecting natural resources
Learn about strategies Minnesota is using to help communities expand opportunities for healthy eating.
- Farm to School
- Minnesota Food Charter
- Market Bucks
- Healthful Beverages
- Resources and Funding
- Regional Food Networks
Active Living
SHIP works on Active Living at the community level to make it easier for Minnesotans of all ages to improve their health and well-being by making routine physical activity more accessible and convenient and increasing physical activity – primarily walking and bicycling. A comprehensive approach through policy, systems, and environmental changes is known to increase access to physical activity opportunities and support behavior changes. These activities focus on creating opportunities that can reach the greatest number of people without the need for equipment or leisure time. Work is being done to emphasizes active transportation – walking, biking, and rolling to destinations – creating opportunities for movement as part of everyday living.
Learn what strategies Minnesota is using to help communities expand opportunities for physical activity.