United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

National Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention (NCP)

Resources for Veterans and the Public - Healthy Eating

Department of Veterans Affairs Resources
HealthierUS Veterans 
A joint initiative between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The aim is to educate veterans, their families, and communities about the health risks of overweight/obesity and ways to reduce risk.  Eat healthy, Be active, and Get Fit for Life.

Federal Government Resources
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Department of Agriculture
MyPyramid  
The interactive component of the USDA's new food pyramid,
this site allows users to input their age, sex, and amount of daily physical activity to create a personalized food pyramid. The personalized pyramid comes along with recommendations of consumption of specific foods and a meal-tracking worksheet to follow your progress. MyPyramid Tracker is a tool that allows users to take an interactive, in-depth assessment of their food intake and physical activity.  
Also in Spanish.

Nutrition.gov   
Nutrition.gov provides easy online government access to information on food and human nutrition for consumers.

US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Agriculture
Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005   
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are published jointly every 5 years and provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases. 

Farmers Market Resources

US Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC Farmers Market Kit   
This kit provides information on how to establish a garden market in a federal agency or other organization. It is based on a Healthier Worksite Initiative (HWI) demonstration project at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

US Department of Agriculture
The USDA provides a searchable map for farmers markets.  
Once on the website, click on the particular state within the map to find the state designated/lead contact for farmers markets as well as brief details and contact info for local farmers markets.

Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program  
Through the USDA,this program was established to provide low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.

Farmers Market Resource Guide    
On this site you will find grants, programs, and other financial and information resources available for farmers markets.  The guide is published by the Farmers Market Consortium, a new collaborative effort between the USDA and other government agencies, the Project for Public Spaces and private foundations.  The Resource Guide is the first document of its kind to promote a free flow of information about and between the programs and agencies that support farmers markets.

Community supported agriculture 
This is a program/concept where consumers "pay into" a farm and then receive the shares, i.e., portions of the harvest.  The shares are delivered weekly.  More than one household can buy into the same share.  There is some variation to this based on the farm, but here is a link to find out more about community supported agriculture and more.
 

Non Federal Government Resources
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Mayo Clinic Guidelines for Good Nutrition   
From the Mayo Clinic outline nutritional recommendations designed to promote health and help prevent disease. Use these guidelines to plan your healthy diet.

Farmers Market Resources

North American Farmers Direct Marketing 
This trade association is dedicated to nurturing the farm direct marketing industry. 

Local Harvest  
Find organic food grown closest to you. Use the website to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainable grown food in your area, where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other goodies.

Funding Resources for Public 
A listing of up-to-date information open to farmers markets and public markets:

  • The Farmers Market Promotion Program (USDA, Agricultural Marketing Service)
  • The Community Outreach & Assistance Project (USDA, Risk Management Agency)
  • Food Stamp Outreach (USDA, Food & Nutrition Service)
  • Community Services Block Grant Program (HHS, Office of Community Services)
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