The Raleigh District Dietetic Association recognizes Wake County Human Services nutritionists as the winner of the 2008 National Nutrition Month® Innovative Practice Award. 

Wake County nutritionists got an early start on planning the National Nutrition Month® events by identifying staff to chair the National Nutrition Month® activities in January.
In February, the group began advertising to all of the locations about upcoming events and available opportunities to participate.

The National Nutrition Month® “Kick off Event” was held on Thursday February 28th at four sites.  Special appearances were made by Sweet Pea and Minnie Mouse.  The event featured samples of Cravin’ Oatmeal Raisin Bars, the debut of the Nutrition Activity Cards and the launch of the food drive.

The food drive lasted all of March at 17 locations throughout the county.  A total of 1710 cans of food were collected for Catholic Parish Outreach (CPO).  Staff members made weekly deliveries to CPO.

The National Nutrition Month® Activity Card encouraged staff to become healthier by making healthy food choices, exercising more and finding ways to reduce stress. Three grand prizes were drawn from all of the submitted cards.

Each week in March the staff was treated to an article on nutrition topics, including men’s health, organic foods, plastics toxicity, nutrition facts and dancing for physical activity.

The nutritionists partnered with the 5 of the county libraries to promote National Nutrition Month® during story time.  There were two sites in the county treated to National Nutrition Month® Displays.

All in all it was a busy, visible, meaningful group celebration for National Nutrition Month® for Wake County Human Services nutritionists.

Congratulations on winning one complimentary TUITITION to the NCDA Annual Meeting. 

Wake County Human Services was the only submission for this year’s competition.  We hope next year that there are more submissions for the contest.  Wake Human Services nutritionists have set a high mark.  Perhaps another group would like to have a competition for the most food collected for National Nutrition Month® 2009.  It’s never too early to start planning.