Nutrition, physical activity, and health are closely related to cultural norms and traditions, and well as geography and the economy. A rural county with a limited number of well-paying jobs and high cost of housing results in long commutes, less money for groceries and recreation, and limited access to stores that sell nutritious foods.

Although we have an environment conducive to outdoor activity, a large percentage of our community does not have an active lifestyle. Bike riding is a popular recreational activity and actually draws a number of visitors to the county, and some residents are drawn to the county based on the downtown’s “walkability.” However, among some populations, riding a bicycle or walking as a form of transportation may be seen as evidence of being unable to afford a car.

Transylvania County has a long history of self-sustenance, and it is popular to grow a small garden for fresh herbs and vegetables and visit the thriving Farmer’s Market. However, for some of the population, eating out is still a symbol of prosperity. For others, a busy lifestyle, long distances to and from work, and lack of knowledge about how to properly prepare nutritious foods contribute to a “fast-food culture.” Cooking home-style foods with an emphasis on red meat and potatoes may be expected and appreciated by others. Families who are stretching their grocery budget may not see how they can afford nutritious food, or may not be able to travel to stores that sell nutritious items. Families who must rely on food pantries may not have access to much more than the shelf-stable items available from those sources.

This issue, too, is related to the other selected health priorities. Stress contributes to weight gain and a desire for foods that fill an emotional rather than nutritious need. However, physical activity can reduce stress and contribute to better mental health.

Provide Social Support for Physical Activity

• Recruit volunteers to coordinate walking groups
• Group leaders will recruit group participants, select physical activity goals, and coordinate groups to achieve those goals
• Provide encouragement to group leaders and check on participants’ progress
• Lead group discussion about negative views of exercise and other barriers to change

Support the Local Corner Store Initiative

• Identify at least one small retail store owner willing to stock fresh fruits and vegetables
• Collaborate with MountainWise to assist interested store owners in implementing sales of fresh produce in their stores
• Develop or reproduce marketing materials to promote the purchase and consumption of fruits and vegetables in retail stores and community venues

The following progress was made in 2016 on Physical Activity, Nutrition & Weight in Transylvania County:

• Transylvania Public Health is working with the Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County to support its efforts in providing healthy foods to outlying areas of the county identified as food deserts. The Hunger Coalition is developing partnerships with leaders of local food pantries located in these areas to deliver fresh produce (as well as milk, eggs, fresh bread, and other pantry staples) to supplement non-perishable goods.
• The Hunger Coalition held an Action Organizational Meeting in November 2016 to provide direction for the coalition's efforts and form groups to address the administrative functions of marketing, funding, volunteer recruitment and coordination, and resource distribution.
• Transylvania Public Health has continued to assist the Hunger Coalition by updating its Food Pantry Map with distribution schedules, contact information, and locations for all food pantries in the county. The Hunger Coalition and its partners distributed electronic and print copies of the maps to low-resourced families in Transylvania County.

The following progress was made in 2017 on our action plan interventions for nutrition, physical activity & weight in Transylvania County. 

• Provide Social Support for Physical Activity
  • TPH staff worked with several local employers in 2017 to initiate worksite wellness programs that will promote physical activity. Gaia Herbs hosted a health fair with physical activity options, and TPH staff are working to identify possible options that will encourage employees to be physically active on-site, such as yoga classes. TPH staff collaborated with Transylvania County's human resources and employee wellness staff to form an Employee Wellness Committee and recruit representatives from all departments near the end of 2017. This committee will focus on increasing opportunities for physical activity, healthier diets, and stress reduction, but had not begun to work on specific tasks by the end of the year. 
  • Two bike repair stations--provided by MountainWise--were installed in Transylvania County, one at the library and the other on the bike path that connects Pisgah National Forest with Brevard Middle School. This effort required collaboration with City of Brevard's planning and public works departments and Transylvania County's library and parks and recreation staff. The repair stations were publicized in the local newspaper to encourage use and show appreciation to partners.

• Support the Local Corner Store Initiative
  • In partnership with MountainWise consultants, TPH staff assisted two local small retail venues in obtaining their N.C. Healthy Food Retail designation, signifying that they carry a specific selection of vegetables, fruits, dairy, grains, protein, and water. The recipients were promoted in the local newspaper and on social media outlets to increase awareness of these locations as a source of healthy food options and promote consumption of nutrition foods in remote areas of the county. 

Additionally, the following progress was made in 2017 on nutrition, physical activity & weight in Transylvania County.

• The first Mobile Food Truck delivery was made to seven food pantries located in remote/food desert areas of Transylvania County in January 2017. This initiative was coordinated by the Hunger Coalition and supported by TPH staff. Although these are not small retail venues, these remote food pantries are the closest source of food for residents in these areas. Providing fresh produce, milk, and eggs to these community members through partnerships with the food pantries is a step in the right direction to support healthier diets among families facing food insecurity.
• WIC staff conducted a social media campaign to increase case load numbers and promote healthy nutrition. In 2017, WIC provided $367,000 to the local economy, all in healthy, nutritious food purchases. WIC also supports breastfeeding, which is known to be a protective factor against overweight and obesity.