Healthy Nevada looks for Healthy Eating leader

Nevada Daily Mail

Healthy Nevada is handing over leadership of the healthy eating committee to a new leader -- an individual who's yet to step forward.

Committee members were in for a surprise Tuesday when they learned the committee will now be headed by one of their own. Program Coordinator Jessica Hunt told residents at the monthly committee meeting that evening that she would no longer be leading the committee's efforts.

"Really, Healthy Nevada being a community project, this is the turning point to hand off those projects," Hunt said.

Hunt said she will be stepping away from a leadership role in the committee to work on new Healthy Nevada projects, but will provide some support for the healthy eating committee such as gathering resource materials.

"What I'd like to see happen in the committee is you guys driving. What do you want to see in the community?" Hunt said.

Hunt asked the committee about who may be interested in spearheading the group. She urged members to think about a person interested in managing the group's projects. No committee members initially stepped up to the leadership role.

The healthy eating committee's largest project in progress has been its grocery store tours program. The free, in-store classes are designed to teach participants how to purchase healthful foods and save money on shopping trips.

While student committee members have led several spur of the moment tours for Cottey College students, only one tour group of Nevada residents has participated.

Committee member Stacy Bond said she has not gauged interest in tour participation. Bond said she spoke with several residents who indicated they would prefer cooking classes to grocery store tours.

"I was disappointed they didn't want to do the grocery store tours, but appreciated their feedback," she said.

Cottey College Professor Karen Polon said timing has affected student interest in the program.

"Right now, going into summer, no one wants to go do a grocery story tour," she said. Polon said her grocery store tour promotions have been saved for the beginning of next academic year.

Hunt said that while the tours were lacking in advertisement, which could have an effect on participation, ultimately, the committee should focus on projects that would interest community members and promote nutrition.

"If we're not going to get participation, there's no reason to go down that path and push it," she said.

John Gulick, Healthy Nevada Development and Funding Coordinator, said committee projects like the grocery tour program would require a leader to keep them rolling.

"If it's going to be a coordination promotion, it has to be someone doing it," Gulick said.

Hunt said she felt confident in the healthy eating committee's ability to move forward without her direct leadership. She said the committee has been around for some time, and has a "strong foundation," making it a candidate project to transfer to committee members. She said she believed the group would become a community forum for discussing nutritional and eating issues in Vernon County and Nevada.

Present committee members decided to keep the monthly meeting time. The Healthy Eating Committee will continue to meet at 5:15 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month at the Healthy Nevada Innovation Center.