Where to Find FREE Food & Meals During the Holiday Season
By Meagan Young, Health Program Supervisor St. Petersburg’s residents are known for helping take care of their fellow community members. This is especially true during the holiday months when expenses for families increase substantially, which can make it very difficult to provide nutritious snacks and meals. Did you know there are numerous organizations throughout the city that provide support in the form of a Box of Groceries or a Hot Meal service year-round for community members? Feeding Tampa Bay is a fantastic online
Cancer Fighting Super Foods
By: Melissa Scoggin, Community Health Leader October is known for pumpkins and spooky Halloween fun, but we also need to remember that October is breast cancer awareness month. As we continue the fight the battle against various cancers, we want to spotlight some super foods that can help boost the immune system while combating cancer. Keeping your immune system healthy is an important part of overall wellbeing. However, for cancer patients a strong immune system is crucial. According to the recent article “Superfoods
Produce in the Heart of St. Pete: Brick Street Farms
By: Madeline McNaughton, Brick Street Farms (Healthier Together Certified Workplace) Brick Street Farms is leading the way in the evolution of agriculture and doing it the right way! As we all become more aware of the impacts of climate change and where agricultural monoliths are falling short for our communities, we see a glaring emphasis on the need for institutional change and a focus on our communities’ health and wellbeing. St. Petersburg residents deserve access to nutrient-rich foods without struggle or strife. That
Immunity Boosting Vitamins in Fruit and Vegetables
A diet rich in nutrients is one of the best ways to prevent illnesses. Immunity boosting vitamins found in fruit and vegetables help build a strong defense against sickness and disease. By eating a variety of produce, you gain the natural strength to protect yourself from viruses and bacteria. The Immune System The immune system includes complex parts of the body like cells, tissues, and organs that fight germs and infections. It is important to do everything you can to keep these
Guide to Growing Urban Agriculture
Access to healthy, affordable food is vital for a sustainable community. A strong local food system improves health, promotes equity, and strengthens our economy. The Healthy St. Pete team works with the Office of Sustainability & Resilience and urban agriculture stakeholders to collaborate on community wide access to food & nutrition. There is a rising demand for sustainably produced, local food in cities. In response, St. Petersburg City Council approved related ordinance amendments to expand opportunities for the production and sale of
Know Your Seasonal Florida Produce
By: Melissa Scoggin, Community Health Leader Florida might be known for oranges and citrus, but did you know that 34% of tomatoes in the U.S. also come from the sunshine state? Unless you grow your own fruit and vegetables, it might be hard to tell what’s in season. This short guide will help you know your seasonal Florida produce better, and in turn, save you money when you buy at the right time. Spring Spring is the perfect time to grow Florida avocados.
How to Shop for Healthy Groceries on a Budget
By: Melissa Scoggin, Community Health Leader Americans spent over $1 trillion on eating out in 2019. It is much cheaper, and often healthier, to prepare and eat food at home. However, if buying healthy food seems too expensive, look at this easy guide on how to shop for healthy groceries on a budget. Plan Ahead Making healthy home cooked meals is easy if you plan ahead. Decide what meals you want to make and keep a grocery list before shopping. You can even
BayCare Sponsors Fresh Rec Stop City-wide Expansion
We are thrilled to announce that Healthy St. Pete has received a generous sponsorship from BayCare to expand the Fresh Rec Stop program. This sponsorship will expand Fresh Rec Stop produce coolers to recreation centers on the city’s west side. The west side centers that will be receiving the refrigerators are, Childs Park, Campbell Park, Gladden Park and J.W. Cate. Click here to view all Fresh Rec Stop locations. The new expansion brings produce coolers to the City’s west side. Visitors to
Be Well, St. Pete
By: Trish Blocker, Employee Wellness Coordinator W3 Insurance Healthier Together Certified Workplace "I like to say that wellness is the ‘fourth W’ at W3 Insurance. As the wellness coordinator for the St. Petersburg-based company, I spend my days helping clients achieve healthy workplace outcomes. That includes my own employer, which was recently named a Healthier Together Gold Partner, and it means something different to each employee group. Throughout my years crafting programs to nudge people toward healthier lives, I’ve gathered an advice tidbit or
Stress & Sugar Cravings
By: Lisa Chase Owner, Back2Normal Physical Therapy Healthier Together Certified Workplace "Long-term stress can lead to a variety of health problems. The body responds to stress by releasing stress hormones, making blood pressure, heart rate & blood sugar rise. It is important to identify your stressors & tackle them before they tackle you. Did you know that stress is a leading cause of sugar cravings and sugar is a leading cause of inflammation, joint pain, immune suppression, excess weight, low energy, and countless other