Recreation centres have a leadership role within the community to promote a healthy, active lifestyle which includes both healthy eating and staying active. In government buildings, providing healthy choices in vending machines, snack bars and food concessions is good for both workers and the public.
Becoming a “Healthy Choice Facility” is being promoted through:
Planning tools and resources in the form of a comprehensive toolkit that helps facilities identify and take action on planning, implementation and evaluation including carrying out a facility audit of their healthy food and beverage choices, using the Brand Name Foods List and initiating an action plan.
Ten BC communities participated in Phase I of the Healthy Food and Beverage Sales project, eight of which completed a complete baseline and follow-up evaluation between June 2008 and January 2009. This evaluation looked at both process and impact. The major areas assessed were the facility environment, vending machines, and patron behaviors and awareness and the facilitation process.
Findings from the facility assessment tool shows that there was a significant positive change in the overall facility environment from baseline to follow-up according to the subscale categories of strategic planning, supportive environments, and communication and education.
To read the report and to get detailed information on community activities, click here.
This program is co-led by the BC Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) and the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM).
The Stay Active Eat Healthy program is one of five initiatives under the BC Healthy Living Alliance's (BCHLA) Healthy Eating Strategy. Please visit bchealthyliving.ca for details.
Funding is provided by the BC Healthy Living Alliance with support from ActNow BC.
