Farmers markets: Not just about the $12 tomato

Farmers markets are sometimes perceived as a great way to buy fresh produce – if you have a lot of disposable income. But in King County, they are a symbol of public health and sustainability. At Public Health, we touch farmers markets in a number of ways, from food safety oversight to creating infrastructure that […]

Read More

Start of summer farmers market season brings healthy food access to Auburn community

June 7 marks the opening of the Auburn Farmers Market. This year, building on last summer’s success, the market will continue to bring more affordable healthy food to residents. Last summer, with the help of Washington Community Action Network (Washington CAN!), community leaders in Auburn piloted an innovative program at the farmers market—the Good Food Bag […]

Read More

Nudging students to make healthier choices: How the Kent School District is bringing behavioral economics principles to their lunchrooms

It turns out that encouraging students to make healthier choices in the lunchroom can be accomplished affordably and without a major overhaul of the cafeteria. Research shows that small changes like making the salad bar the highlight of the lunchroom, displaying fruit in attractive baskets, or placing healthy foods by the cash register can influence […]

Read More

Beyond gym class: How cities can help kids increase their physical activity

Who plays a role in making sure kids get enough exercise each day? Parents certainly. Schools, yes—that’s why we have gym class and recess. But what about city governments? Well, it turns out that they can play a role, too. Des Moines is one city that has taken the charge head on and is seeing […]

Read More

How one of the largest food purchasing industries is making healthy choices easy

Hospitals across King County are making the healthy choice the easy choice for their staff, visitors, outpatients, and communities in an often overlooked place—their cafeterias. Through the Community Transformation Grant (CTG), MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Highline Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, and Valley Medical Center committed to serving healthier food and creating food environments in […]

Read More