March is National Nutrition Month, a time dedicated to learning about healthy eating and building habits that support long-term wellness. It’s also an opportunity to reflect on how access to nutritious food affects the health of the community.
Food does more than fuel our bodies—it supports physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. But maintaining a balanced diet can be difficult for many families, especially as grocery costs continue to rise.
Why Nutrition Matters
Healthy eating patterns play an important role in overall health and well-being. Nutrition guidelines emphasize a balanced approach that includes a variety of foods—fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy or dairy alternatives—while limiting added sugars, sodium, and highly processed foods.
Small daily food choices can have a big impact on long-term health. The current recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is that adults eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day, along with a balanced intake of other nutrient-rich foods.
However, many people fall short of that goal. According to the 2024 Washington County Community Status Report, about one in three adults eat the recommended servings of vegetables each day. The same report found that nearly one in two adults consume one or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily.
Supporting Access to Nutritious Food
At Valley Outreach, we work to make nutritious food accessible for everyone. Through our SuperShelf model, we prioritize access to nutritious foods while still offering the other items people want. In fact, over 80% of our SuperShelf is dedicated to high-health value options such as fresh produce, dairy, eggs, meats and proteins, as well as whole grains and flour.
Like a grocery store, our SuperShelf layout highlights nutritious options first, making healthy choices easy and appealing. We also strive to offer culturally relevant food items so individuals and families can find ingredients that reflect their traditions, preferences, and everyday cooking.
A Helpful Resource: Good and Cheap
For many people, deciding to eat healthier is a great first step, but figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. Healthy recipes online often call for unfamiliar ingredients or expensive items, which can make it seem like eating well requires a much bigger grocery budget.
In reality, nutritious meals can be simple and affordable.
One helpful resource is the cookbook Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day by Leanne Brown. The book was originally created to help people cook healthy meals while living on a SNAP grocery budget, and it focuses on simple recipes made with affordable, everyday ingredients.
The cookbook includes practical tips for stretching a grocery budget, making the most of pantry staples, and preparing meals that are both nourishing and satisfying. For anyone looking to start cooking healthier meals without spending more at the grocery store, it’s a great place to begin.
Building a Healthier Community
Access to nutritious food plays an essential role in creating healthy communities. When individuals and organizations work together to improve food access, share knowledge, and support one another, it becomes easier for everyone to make healthy choices.
This National Nutrition Month, consider trying a new recipe, adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals, or exploring resources that make healthy cooking more approachable.
Together, we can help build a healthier, more nourished community.
