Working on Wellness Environments
Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension multidisciplinary community development program

Want to improve your workplace food environment?  Try a healthy food policy! 

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By: Dr. Jenna Anding

Depending on your job, the workplace may be an oasis of unhealthy foods.  Whether it is the vending machine, potluck lunches, a celebration, or the random candy bowl sitting on someone’s desk, the workplace food environment can sometimes be a barrier for those who are trying to eat a little healthier.    

As the Working on Wellness Environment (WOW-E) program works to help communities improve access to healthy foods (and opportunities for physical activity), I’m going to challenge you in this blog to focus on one part of the community, the workplace, since many of us spend one-third of our day (or more) there and probably eat at least one meal (and maybe a snack or two) each day of the workweek. 

We recognize that not everyone is concerned about their food and beverage choices during the workday and that is okay.  However, a number of the chronic diseases that we face today are linked to our food choices.  For those employees who are trying to eat a little healthier, have you thought about implementing one or more food policies to ensure that healthy foods are available?  Don’t worry – we aren’t suggesting that you take away all of the unhealthy foods; instead, we are suggesting using policy to ensure that the food environment in your workplace has some healthy options available so individuals can meet their personal nutrition goals. 

Here are some examples of a healthy food policy for workplaces: 

  • For catered meals, adopt a policy that requires at least one healthy beverage option.  The easiest way to implement this is to offer water or unsweetened tea.  You can always offer sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners on the side and let employees choose. 
  • Consider adopting a policy that requires at least one or more healthy options in your vending machines.  Suggestions can include unsalted nuts, popcorn, and baked chips.  If you have an office refrigerator and provide complimentary snacks, think about low-fat yogurt or cheese sticks, or fresh fruit.  Apples and clementine oranges have a long shelf-life so you can minimize food waste.   
  • For office celebrations that involve food, whether it is catered to or potluck, create a food policy that guarantees that there will be at least one healthy option available.  This can be as easy as a fresh fruit salad, a healthy vegetable side dish, or even a tossed salad with dressing on the side.  Having some desserts?  No problem, just cut them in smaller portions. 

Offering options for healthy foods in the workplace shows that you support your coworkers and employees who are trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle.  If you aren’t convinced that a healthy food policy is worth trying, let me leave you with this to chew on:  a healthier workforce can lead to lower healthcare costs and increased productivity.  That is definitely something we can all support! 

Farm to School

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by Victorino Cantu, M. Garcia & A. Garza

Students pointing to the citrus they grew

The Farm to School Program Mission

The goal of the farm to school program is to bring local foods to the school cafeteria and agricultural education to K-12 students, encouraging children to make healthy food choices and inspiring sustainable connections to local food, while helping to boost the local economy.

Students planting a tree in their orchard

The Plan to Implement Farm to School Efforts in Starr County

Our planned intervention included the planting of a fruit orchard that is a continuation and enhancement of the existing school garden. This intervention was introduced while searching for options to replace missing local farms.

Students standing in the orchard holes for the trees to be planted in

Who Makes These Efforts Possible?

 The Farm to School efforts would not be possible without R.T. Barrera Elementary and its administration. The school has incorporated Farm to school efforts into their Physical Education curriculum. They have also recently started an Ag Club that helps monitor the orchard and ensure that the trees are doing well health-wise.

Plowing and digging the site of the orchard

Other Experiences the Students get from Farm to School

As a direct result, students also get to learn the practice of farming and preparing their own healthy meals/snacks.

Students learning healthy food preparation

The Rewards of the Farm to School Program

This intervention provides much needed access to healthy produce that is integral for the long-term health of the community and the students. Planting an orchard demonstrates a commitment to community nutrition for the next 20 years and beyond. This proposal provides an ongoing supply of fresh, seasonal fruit at a location and institution that is accessible to much of the local community.

Pictures provided by R.T. Barrera Elementary Principal, Mrs. M. Garcia and Physical Education Coach, Mr. A. Garza. (01/19/2023)

Moverte es Importante para tu Salud

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Cuidar de ti misma es una de las cosas más importantes que puedes hacer para ti y tu familia. Una forma de cuidar de ti misma es haciendo actividad física regular. Hacer más actividad física puede ayudarte a dormir mejor, reducir el estrés y reducir tu riesgo de enfermedades del corazón, ataque cerebral, algunos cánceres y diabetes tipo 2.

Nos estamos uniendo a otras organizaciones locales y nacionales para apoyar a la campaña Moving Matters, parte de la iniciativa Gente Activa, Nación Sana™ (Active People, Healthy Nation™), para ayudar a promover los beneficios de la actividad física, motivar a las personas a encontrar pequeñas formas de incluir movimiento en su día y recodarle a las personas que la actividad física puede ser divertida.

Visita https://www.cdc.gov/movernos para aprender más sobre la campaña y explorer maneras para moverte.

Moving Matters for Your Health

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Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. One way to do that is to get regular physical activity. Increased physical activity can improve your sleep, reduce stress, and lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and type 2 diabetes.

We are joining other local and national organizations in supporting the Moving Matters campaign, part of the Active People, Healthy Nation℠ initiative, to help promote the benefits of physical activity, encourage people to find small ways to incorporate movement into their day, and remind people that physical activity can be fun.

Visit cdc.gov/MovingMatters to learn more about the campaign and explore ways to get moving!