The Institute for Public Health Innovation's HEAL Campaign congratulates all our Maryland HEAL Cities and Towns for another great year bringing healthy eating and active living policies and practices to their communities! HEAL staff has just returned from the annual Maryland Municipal League Conference in Ocean City where we recognized 16 cities and towns for joining the Campaign and achieving HEAL goals.
The goals achieved by this year's honorees include: the implementation of streets policies and adoption of bicycle and pedestrian master plans that promote bicycling and walking for pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities; the adoption of nutrition standards that ensure that
food and beverages provided at workplace meetings and city-sponsored events include healthy options; the provision of healthy options in vending machines in municipal buildings; the support and promotion of farmers' markets and community gardens; the planting of fruit forests in public rights of way; and the implementation of creative workplace wellness policies and programs.
We welcomed two new members of the Campaign -- the Town of Burkittsville and the City of Seat Pleasant.
We also recognized HEAL cities and towns that advanced to a higher recognition level because of their HEAL achievements;
- The City of New Carrollton and Town of Rock Hall received the Bronze HEAL Recognition for achieving one new HEAL goal.
- The City of Laurel received the Silver HEAL Recognition for two new HEAL goals.
- The Town of Bel Air, City of Bowie, Town of Capitol Heights, City of College Park, Town of Colmar Manor, City of Frederick, City of Greenbelt, and Town of Ocean City received the Gold Recognition for attaining three new HEAL goals.
- The Town of Edmonston, City of Gaithersburg, and City of Rockville received Platinum HEAL Recognition, the highest HEAL achievement award. Cities and towns that advance to the Platinum level have attained Gold status and provide evidence that their healthy eating and active living work reaches across government departments and is being evaluated and monitored.
At the conference, HEAL staff also led two workshops. The first was a mobile session on walking meetings. Participants walked with HEAL staff and received tips on how to hold an effective walking meeting. They also discussed ways to hold a walking meeting to engage constituents or to keep employees active and refreshed during the work day. Download Walking Meeting Tip Sheet, here. The second workshop highlighted HEAL policies and practices that promote older adult health. A fact sheet can be found
here.
Congratulations again to this year's honorees in Maryland! Thank you to all our HEAL cities and towns for the continued commitment to working to create healthier communities.
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