What's Helping? These are the positive forces are work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

• Women, Infants and Children and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program facilitated by Haywood County Health and Human Services.
• Double Up Food Bucks provides bonus to SNAP recipients at Haywood's Historic Farmer's Market.  
• Regular food distribution events, including special back-to-school and Thanksgiving events.  Some food distributions are paired with community resources and school supplies.  
• A newly-formed food policy council exists in the county and is facilitated by a local food provider.  
• Outdoor pantries provide support for those unable to visit a pantries during scheduled hours.  

What's Hurting? These are the negative forces are work in our community and beyond that influence this issue in our community.

• Over 20% of individuals report not having someone to rely on for help, if needed.  
• Over 22% of individuals say that it is very or somewhat difficult to afford fresh produce.  
• Challenges accessing affordable foods: ‘Foods found at convenience stores and ‘dollar’’ stores in less populated geographic areas tend to be highly processed high in sodium & sugar, etc.’    -Community Leader 
• Transportation is a barrier for many residents.  While public transportation exists and is making great strides, it is still difficult for some residents to access.  

Partners With a Role in Helping Our Community Do Better on This Issue:

(A) Actions and Approaches Identified by Our Partners These are actions and approaches that our partners think can make a difference on fruit and vegetable consumption.

• Existing Programs

  • Take Control programs

  • Steps to Health: pre-k, kindergarten, 3rd grade, 4th grade

  • Color Me Healthy

  • Cook Smart, Eat Smart

  • Med Instead of Meds

• Canton Library- emphasis on community gardening

• Food Council- upstream solutions to creating accessible healthy food

• 5,2,1 Almost None- 5 servings of fruit and vegetables; 2 hours of screen time; 1 hour of exercise; almost no sugary drinks

(B) What is Currently Working in Our Community These are actions and approaches that are currently in place in our community to make a difference on fruit and vegetable consumption.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• Double Up Food Bucks
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

(C) Evidence-Based Strategies These are actions and approaches that have been shown to make a difference on fruit and vegetable consumption.

• Cook Smart, Eat Smart: individual level
• Faithful Families Thriving Communities: individual and organizational levels
• Have a Plant (create a habit, eat fruits and vegetables first, cultivate enjoyment): individual and organization levels
• National School Lunch Program: individual and organizational levels

Process for Selecting Priority Strategies

Haywood County used a process planning tool referred to as the "Getting to Strategies: Process Plan" designed to move from health priorities to Community Health Improvement Plan strategies. This tool assisted in facilitation when discussing priorities and strategies with workgroups. Seven questions were presented to identify: Our ideal vision of Haywood County; What in our community would require change to accomplish our vision; What are the most important measures to reflect positive change; Who plays a role in creating change; What past and current strategies work to make positive change; and What we propose to do this Community Health Improvement Plan cycle (questions below). Once all of our workgroups, partners, and community members in attendance agreed on proposed strategies (keeping in mind feasibility, sustainability, level of impact in regard to current resources and capacity) the group voted for their top three substance use and mental health strategies.

• Questions:
  • What are the quality-of-life conditions we want for the people who live in our community?
  • How can we measure these conditions?
  • What would these conditions look like if we could see them?
  • How are we doing on the most important of these measures?
  • Who are the partners who have a role to play in doing better?