The Maple Grove Community Center (Clay County, TN), a historic multigenerational gathering space, recently underwent improvements to support active living and community engagement. The project was made possible through the efforts of volunteers and community partners, including Clay County Extension, Be More Steering Committee members, Clay County maintenance employees, Maple Grove residents, Celina Lumber Company, and JCL Metals.

These enhancements strengthen the built environment by creating a more supportive setting for physical activity and community use.

🥕 Ways to Celebrate Nutrition Month 🥕

💧 Promote Healthier Beverages and snacks
Provide water and healthier beverage and snack choices at meetings, events, and public spaces. 

🤝 Encourage Community Partnerships
Work with local organizations, schools, food banks, and farmers to strengthen food access and support healthy food initiatives across the community.

🥗 Increase Access to Healthy Foods
Support farmers markets, community gardens, and healthy retail options.

📋 Promote Food Service Guidelines
Adopt food service guidelines in workplaces and community settings to offer healthier food and beverage options at meetings, events, and vending locations.

Organizations can support healthier food environments by adopting food service guidelines for meetings, events, and vending. These policies help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

The American Heart Association Healthy Food & Beverage Toolkit offers practical steps and examples for implementing healthier food and beverage standards in workplaces and community settings.

🔷 Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation 2026 Community Grants support grassroots projects that promote bicycling as a safe, healthy form of recreation and transportation. Eligible applicants include local bike clubs, community cycling programs, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals are due March 25, 2026.
Learn more and apply here.

🔷 T-Mobile Hometown Grants is a $25 million, five-year initiative supporting small towns across America. Each quarter, up to 25 communities can receive up to $50,000 to support shovel-ready projects, such as revitalizing historic spaces, creating downtown destinations, or improving gathering places that strengthen local pride and spur future investment. Proposals are due March 31, 2026.
Learn more and apply here.

The High Obesity Program is made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CDC or imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about the High Obesity Program (HOP) program at https://www.cdc.gov/dnpao-state-local-programs/php/about/.