Best Picks For Your Plate

By: Caitlin BakerBest Picks For Your Plate

Overview/SummaryUltimate goal of project Consumers in Lincoln County will make healthier food choices when purchasing food

Used the USDA MyPlate to show what a healthy meal looks like

Brought MyPlate into Daves County Market and incorporated the concepts of it throughout the store

The Project Components1) MyPlate meal with healthy sale items

2) Promotion of the MyPlate with developed materials

3) Labeling System

4) In-Store Healthy Food Demos

MyPlate with Sale ItemsMyPlate With Sale ItemsWorked with an employee at the grocery store to put together healthier meals from flyer sale foodsObjective: To help people see what a balanced meal looks likeTo show people that they can eat healthy on a budget

MyPlate PromotionMyPlate Promotion Education materials were developed to pass out at the introduction of MyPlate to Daves County marketEasy Ideas for Healthy Eating BookletMyPlate PlacematMyPlate MagnetHealthy Shopping Checklist

There was a two day promotion in the grocery store. Customers stopped by the table, picked up information and entered themselves to win a free fruit basket

The Labeling SystemLabeling System CriteriaBased off of the MyPlate ConceptsFoods that meet the MyPlate Concepts get a Best Pick label All whole produceCanned produced marked low sodium, no salt added, 100% juice, or no sugar addedGrains with the whole grain stamp & 9 g or less sugarLow-fat/lean meat & low sodium plant sourcesLow-fat/Fat-Free DairyAnything not in a category that is marked:Low SodiumReduced SodiumNo Sugar AddedReduced Sugar

Best Pick9Healthy Food DemosHealthy Food DemosWe have 2 food vendors and Dave County Market willing to help with this project Take recipes that are commonly used and exchange high fat/high salt ingredients for healthier alternativesAlso, took commonly eaten processed meals (ex: Hamburger Helper) and showed how to make that meal healthier.Add more vegetablesReduce sodium/fat by using alternative ingredientsUse leaner proteinsThe demos have not been done in the store yet, but the building blocks are completed

ConclusionThere is much excitement about the projectOther groups in the community want to become involvedOwner of local Curves in Merrill, WIA health food market in Merrill, WIA grocery store in Tomahawk, WIMyPlate is now going to be implemented into school system

A simple concept can make a big influence!