What Is It?

Faithful Families Thriving Communities (FFTC) was identified by members of the Wellness Action Group as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, that has a reasonable chance of making a difference in fruit and vegetable consumption and overweight/obesity prevalence in our community. This is a new program in our community.

FFTC is led by program facilitators and lay leaders.  The curriculum features nine sessions addressing topics such as nutrition, meal preparation, and becoming more physically active.  The program encourages changes at the organization and community levels, such as having a policy to serve water during events.  

The priority population/customers for this educational program are members of faith communities, and the educational program aims to make a difference at the individual and organizational levels.  Implementation will take place in churches and other faith-based organizations.  

This strategy addresses health disparities by connecting individuals with free, evidence-based education in a convenient setting.  

Cook Smart, Eat Smart (CSES) was identified by members of the Wellness Action Group as an action, that when combined with other actions in our community, that has a reasonable chance of making a difference in fruit and vegetable consumption and overweight/obesity prevalence in our community. This is an ongoing program in our community.

CSES is led by a trained instructor.  This four-session program provides recipes demonstrations and instruction about simple cooking techniques.   

The priority population/customers for this educational program are adults and older teenagers, and the educational program aims to make a difference at the individual level. Implementation will take place in a community organization.

This strategy addresses health disparities by demonstrating that a healthy diet is accessible even when funds are limited.  

Both programs were identified as priorities and as programs with potential.  CSES was offered successfully in the past.  

Potential data limitation- some individuals may participate in more than one program, possibly causing them to be counted more than once.  

The "Story Behind the Curve" helps us understand the causes and forces at work that explain the data behind the evidence-based nutrition education and the resources that the lead organization plans to commit to address the health issue.  This organization plans, promotes, administers, and evaluates the nutrition education programs.  

Customers for this program include:

• Those with limited financial resources and/or who meet income guidelines to participate in public assistance programs
• People who are at-risk for poor nutrition
• Individuals interested in learning safe and healthy cooking practices.  

What's Helping What We Do? These are the positive forces at work in our nutrition education program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Buy-in from community programs
• Skilled facilitators
• Access to evidence-based programs and practices 
• Adequate training space

What's Hurting What We Do? These are the negative forces at work in our nutrition education program that influence how much we do or how well we do it.

• Difficulty recruiting participants 
• Limited staff and volunteer capacity
• Limited funding 
• Difficulty in accommodating schedules of potential participants
• Weather-related factors

What's Helping Customer Change? These are the positive forces at work in our nutrition education program that influence customer change.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are accepted at local farmers markets and produce stands.
• Several local produce stands are open year-round. 
• Charitable food organizations often distribute local food products.    

What's Hurting Customer Change? These are the negative forces at work in our nutrition education program that influence customer change.

• Transportation barriers- This was noted as a challenge to accessing care and services (Online Key Informant Survey, 2024).  
• Financial barriers to accessing food- Nearly 29% of adults do not have cash on hand to cover a $400 emergency (single-year point) (WNC Health Network, 2024).  
• Over 26% of adults don't know where to access emergency food services (single-year point) (WNCHN, 2024).  
• Over 13% of adults experienced electricity, water, or heat outages in their home in the past year (WNCHN, 2024).   
• Nearly 15% of the county's adults reported fair or poor overall health (decrease) (WNCHN, 2024).  In addition, over 71% of adults experience overweight or obesity (decrease) (WNCHN, 2024).  Either factor may affect a person's ability to be physically active.    
• Haywood County is a rural community with mountainous terrain.  
• Barriers to accessing broadband internet
• Individuals experiencing physical and mental health challenges may have difficulty participating in programs.  
• Food insecurity and other barriers accessing healthy foods- Thirty percent of the county's adults reported experiencing food insecurity (increase) (WNC Health Network, 2024).  
• Difficulty in committing time to attending programs 
• Rising food costs
• Individuals experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for assistance programs

Partners with a Role to Play

• Haywood County Public Library
• Haywood County Recreation and Parks 
• Haywood Christian Ministry
• Haywood County Schools
• Meals on Wheels 
• The Pollinators Foundation 
• Vaya Health
• Vecinos, Inc.