West Virginia Nutrition Network

The West Virginia Nutrition Network promotes healthy lifestyles through collaborative partnerships and social marketing efforts in order to improve eating habits and increase physical activity levels of all West Virginians.

The West Virginia Nutrition Network is an alliance of agencies and organizations that work together to share information, increase communication, and partner on projects related to nutrition and physical activity. A goal of the WV Nutrition Network is to create synergy and provide agencies, that often work in the same area of nutrition and health, to identify opportunities to avoid duplication of effort and maximize their impact. 

One of the Network's projects is the Pick a better snack™ (PABS) social marketing campaign, which is designed to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and targets children and their caregivers. The PABS campaign was created by the Iowa Nutrition Network. PABS materials are designed to include simple messages with brightly colored fruit and vegetables that are attractive and eye catching. The PABS campaign has been implemented throughout the state by targeting large media markets. The WV Nutrition Network was awarded the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Regional 2008 Marketing Package award for the PABS campaign!

• New and exciting information is available in the State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables. This report was released on September 29, 2009 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and shows how states across the nation are doing with regards to fruit and vegetable consumption and policy and environmental support.
• The Heart and Hand Community Garden Market in Philippi, WV is now accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefit Tranfer cards! Farmers' Markets that are interested in finding out how to become licensed to accept SNAP benefits, visit the USDA-FNS website.
• Why should you visit your local Farmer's Market?
  • You are providing support to your local farmers.
  • Produce is picked at its nutritional peak and likely to be fresher than store-bought produce.
  • Produce is often less costly than produce purchased at grocery stores.
  • Often times the farmers are present to answer questions and give tips on on the best use of their harvest.
  • It's a chance to socialize with other people in the community.
  • West Virginia Farmer's Market Directory
• The SNAP-Ed Connection is expanding their popular Recipe Finder database.

• The Kanawha Coalition for Community Health Improvement Physical Activity Workgroup meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department in Charleston, WV. www.kcchi.org 
• October 28, 2009: The WV Nutrition Network will hold its monthly conference call from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. For more information, contact the Network Coordinator. 

Try these healthy recipes:

Strawberry-Banana Split

Strawberry Frozen Yogurt Squares

Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

Squash Medley

• Want your family to reach for a healthy snack? Make sure fruits and veggies are in reach. Low-fat cottage cheese with chopped fruit is a great snack for everyone. Keep a bowl of fruit or vegetables in the fridge so a healthy snack is always available. Fat-free yogurt mixed with fresh fruit is a healthy way to enjoy a sweet treat after school.