888-765-5400BCBSNC Partnership Supports Community Gardens
Chapel Hill, N.C. – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) announced a partnership Tuesday with the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association (NCRPA) to launch Nourishing North Carolina, a statewide community garden program making local, healthy food more accessible to people across the state. This initiative supports BCBSNC’s longstanding commitment to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians.
“The long-term benefit of this effort will extend well beyond the growing season,” said Brad Wilson, BCBSNC president and CEO. “By increasing access to healthy foods, we can all eat better, lower rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and ultimately reduce the impact that unhealthy lifestyles have on our health care system.”
Nourishing North Carolina will provide resources to create or enhance existing community gardens in all 100 North Carolina counties by the close of 2013. The program is expected to ultimately provide North Carolina communities with 190,000 pounds of fresh produce, enhancing nutritional value to nearly 150,000 meals.
“The obesity rate among our children in North Carolinais alarming. And, more than two-thirds of adults in North Carolina are overweight or obese,” said Mack McLeod, NCRPA president. “Nourishing North Carolina gives us an opportunity to address unhealthy eating trends head on by getting healthy foods into our communities and into the hands of citizens. All North Carolinians should have access to a local source of healthy foods.”
Community gardens are increasing in popularity across the state and nation. In addition to providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, community gardens help strengthen community relationships and promote physical activity and education through garden maintenance and neighborhood workdays. Among other benefits, community gardens create protected green space.
The Nourishing NC program accepted applications beginning in April through parks and recreation departments, health departments, cooperative extensions and master gardeners across the state. Applications were reviewed by the program committee, comprised of master gardeners and representatives from organizations including the North Carolina Community Gardner Partners, NCRPA and BCBSNC.
This information was published by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, July 2011.
For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our professional agents. Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health. Call us for details.
