Healthy Savannah discusses Healthy Food Access, Physical Activity Opportunities, Community Resources

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Aug. 19, 2022 - PRLog -- (SAVANNAH, GA) Savannahians want more community-based solutions that promote healthy food and physical activity where they live, work and play. The findings of a year-long survey conducted by Healthy Savannah were revealed at its CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Stakeholders' Meeting on August 19. About 40 stakeholders were in attendance, representing Savannah and Chatham County organizations committed to elevating the health and wellness of the community. The event was held at the Vaden Automotive corporate office building in Savannah.

The results indicate residents are interested in increasing healthy lifestyles, better access to health services and physical activity infrastructure, but aren't often aware of those resources or how to tap into them.

• PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: A quarter of respondents would use the Tide to Town trail system frequently or all the time. This is an increase over the three-year period. Additional data shows that the trail is equally used by all racial and ethnic groups. More respondents had become aware of the Tide to Town trail system and Active People Healthy Savannah initiative but there was a decrease from 10% to 25% in those who did not participate in physical activities at all.
• NUTRITION AND HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS: Respondents reported an increase in healthy food purchases for all sources over the three-year period. Large grocery stores see the biggest use of SNAP benefits and health food purchases. Most respondents would most like to utilize fresh food deliveries for both SNAP use and healthy food purchases.
• RESOURCE DIRECTORIES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES: Resource directories continue to be underutilized, opening the door for opportunities to share the resources and their usefulness with community members. Only 32% of respondents have used the 211 resource line and 35% have used 311. Herohelpme.com, an online directory of community health resources, is the least used, with only 20% of respondents reporting its use.

Concerns related to reduced physical activity during the COVID pandemic led Healthy Savannah to engage its social media followers with weekly Healthy Walks on walking trails throughout Savannah and Chatham County over the past two years, including portions of the Tide to Town. This protected network of walking and bicycling trails is under construction and eventually will connect 75% of Savannah's neighborhoods to safe, affordable and cost-effective walking and biking infrastructure. Its first phase, the Truman Linear Park Trail, is partially complete.

Most of the survey respondents indicated that large grocery stores continue to be their main source of healthy food purchases, but the mobile arm of Forsyth Farmers' Market, Farm Truck 912, saw an increase in use 15% in 2019 to 35% in 2021.

For more information about the 2021 survey results, contact Paula Kreissler at paula@healthysavannah.org.