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Healthy Food Choices
Nutrition
You may be familiar with the Food Pyramid that describes the number of fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, meat and beans that you should consume on a daily basis. Although each of us should eat something from each of these food groups on a daily basis, the amount differs depending on our age, gender and weight. Therefore, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a website that personalizes the Food Pyramid according to your needs.
At MyPyramid.gov you have the ability to type in your specific information to find out what the proper balance of food choices is appropritate for you. In addition, the site offers a personalized menu planner, assessment tools, cost analysis tools, and information directed to children.
Another excellent source of information is the FamilyDoctor.org site which offers numerous videos on the subject of healthy food choices and nutrition.
Fast food is typically never healthy, but withy our busy lifestyles, many of us resort to picking up something on the run occasionally. Here are some tips to make healthier fast food choices.
Northland Pines Community Garden
To help create an awareness about healthy food choices, a committee formed to start a community garden. This committee included Northland Pines School District, Seed-to-Seed Edible Garden Project, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Vilas County Master Gardeners, and Vilas County Public Health. Through this partnership, an agreement was reached with the Northland Pines school to install a community garden on the school property.
Mission:
To provide educational opportunities to the Northland Pines School District students and surrounding community in sustainable organic gardening which will promote holistic health and support local needs.
Location:
The Northland Pines Community Garden will be located on school property behind the Phoenix Center. The location of the garden is easily accessible for the public as well as students.
Objectives:
- To educate students and the community about sustainable gardening practices, successful organic gardening techniques, healthy eating, and food preparation.
- To offer access to fertile planting ground for interested community gardeners.
- To provide perishable foods to the Eagle River Food Pantry that cannot otherwise be obtained.
- To bring fresh, organic produce to the Eagle River Community which is located in northern Wisconsin, an area where fresh produce is not readily available.
Project Plans:
The Northland Pines Community Garden is a new initiative. The location is an unused section of school property. The garden area will be initially 50’ x 100’, with expansion available up to 100’ x 100’. The grounds are ideal for a garden, with plenty of sunshine and water already available onsite.
For the first year, at least eight personal plots will be offered. The balance of the garden will be left for communal use. Volunteers will be responsible for maintaining the communal garden area. The produce grown in the community garden will be divided in the following manner: a portion will be distributed to the garden volunteers, a portion will be distributed to the Eagle River Food Pantry recipients, and a portion may be sold to the public.
Educational Opportunities:
- Soil preparation
- Composting
- Utilize classrooms and greenhouse to start plants
- Plant growth
- Harvesting
- Food preservation
- Seed saving
- Construction – garden tool shed, picnic table, cold frames
Groundbreaking:
October 30, 2010