The Town of Sardis has been awarded an $80,000 TDH Healthy Built Environments Grant to enhance Sardis City Park. Planned improvements include new playground and accessible fitness equipment, ADA accessibility improvements, and a water bottle refill station. The project builds on priorities identified through a Be More Tennessee-organized Tennessee Department of Health Active Living Workshop and will enhance the park’s built environment while expanding opportunities for physical activity.

Haley Barnes and Soghra Jarvandi attended the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in National Harbor, Maryland, where they presented a poster highlighting Clay County’s Mobile Market model.

The poster showcased the community-driven approach behind the initiative, including the role of the Clay County Steering Committee in identifying local nutrition-related assets and challenges and the partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank to expand access to healthy foods. Findings demonstrated the feasibility of this community-based approach for improving healthy food access in rural communities and highlighted the strong partnerships supporting the Mobile Market’s continued sustainability.

We are excited to welcome Theresa Mince to the Be More Tennessee state team! Theresa joined UT Extension in August as the new Be More Tennessee Program Manager, bringing more than 10 years of experience in community-focused public health.

Theresa previously worked with Extension in Alabama and Indiana through SNAP-Ed and EFNEP, with a focus on improving nutrition and physical activity in limited-resource communities. She is also currently pursuing her DrPH at Johns Hopkins University and is excited to bring her experience and passion for community health to Be More Tennessee.

Originally a University of Alabama graduate, Theresa is looking forward to making Knoxville home—even if it means navigating a little friendly football rivalry! Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, biking, exploring new places, trying new recipes, visiting farmers markets and local coffee shops, and keeping her garden alive. 

Please join us in giving Theresa a warm welcome to the Be More Tennessee team!

Tennessee’s participation in the 2026 Walkability Action Institute marks an important step in advancing collaborative, community-driven approaches to improve active transportation and the built environment.

Participating HOP & REACH communities — Alamo, Whiteville, Sneedville, and Knox County — are finalizing their community-specific action plans, translating institute training and technical assistance into strategies for safer, more walkable communities statewide.

This video, produced by the UT FCS Creative Content Team, provides a look inside the institute experience.

Complete Streets, Stronger Economies: How safer streets support economic growth: A new report from Smart Growth America shows how making streets safer for everyone can support local economies by growing local businesses and creating jobs. Spotlighting examples from around the country, this report shares real stories on how Complete Streets can revitalize downtowns and grow revenue in communities of all sizes.

Making Strides: 2026 State Report Cards: Safe Routes Partnership developed state report cards that provide a snapshot of how supportive each state is of walking, bicycling, rolling, and active kids and communities. The report cards primarily look at state policy, focusing on four key areas:

1. Complete Streets and Active Transportation Policy and Planning

2. Federal and State Active Transportation Funding

3. Safe Routes to School Funding and Supportive Practices

4. Active Neighborhoods and Schools

In celebration of the National Park Service’s 110th birthday, enjoy free entrance to national parks on August 25, 2026. It’s the perfect opportunity to get outside, explore, and enjoy our nation’s public lands!

🔷 TN ECD Downtown Improvement Grant Program – Applications are open for grants of up to $300,000 to support improvements in eligible Tennessee downtown districts. Tennessee Main Street programs and eligible Tennessee Downtowns alumni may use funding for projects such as streetscape and gateway improvements, downtown and wayfinding signage, building façade improvements, and other enhancements that can help create safer, more inviting downtown environments.
Applications are due August 28, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

🔷  Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant – Applications are now open for mini-grants of up to $1,000 to support Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day events. Schools and community organizations can use funding to promote walking and rolling to school while engaging students in conversations about courage, inclusion, and creating safer, more walkable communities.
Applications are due September 4, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

🔷 Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program provides $250–$5,000 in funding to support projects that enhance quality of life in rural communities. Eligible projects may address areas such as health and well-being, education, public service, and community development.
Applications are due September 4, 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/.