Be Healthy Berrien

Working to build healthier places to live, work, learn, and play in Southwest Michigan

STORIES

Visit Niles Riverfront Park for a beautiful autumn adventure!

Niles Riverfront Park, along the east side of the St. Joseph River from Wayne St. to Front St., is an escape to nature within the City of Niles.  The park, nestled along the river, features a boat ramp, playground, skate park, amphitheater, and picnic shelters, tables and grills.  Nearly 2 miles of the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail runs through the park, offering opportunities for walking, running, and biking.  Several fitness stations along the trail make this the perfect setting for outdoor crossfit activities as well.  Come enjoy the beautiful river setting as you picnic and play!

And with Fall weather upon us it is a great setting for enjoying the changing colors and crisp air. Pair your trip with a visit to the downtown district, which is just a short jaunt further down Main street You can refuel from your park activities with a great meal. 

Getting outside and exploring the parks of Southwest Michigan is a great way to get your daily dose of physical activity.  Its best to get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week, that is just about 20 minutes per day! To find more wonderful parks in your neighborhood click here.

We want to hear from you!

We’d love to hear your input on the Indiana-Michigan River Valley Trail Expansion Project, even if you can’t make it to our Community Open House. The Community Open House will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm at the Berrien Springs Community Library. If you can’t make it to the event, please give us your feedback via the online survey by Sunday, 9/29 at https://forms.gle/RbFFmeRkagePFV7n9
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Thank you!

It’s National Farm Safety and Health Week

Agricultural professions are ranked among the most dangerous jobs in North America. It comes as no surprise when you think about the amount of machinery, chemicals, and physical labor associated with farm work. That is why the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, and their partners spread awareness for farm safety every year through the National Farm Safety and Health Week. This year the motto of the week is “Shift Farm Safety into High Gear”, the week will feature daily themes and webinars for agricultural professional that you can register for here.

With over 870 farms located in Berrien County, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, we are largely an agricultural community. An aspect of farm life, that affects safety is that typically families are residing on farm property. This heightens the risk that youth and family members can experience farm related injury or accidents. Staying informed on proper safety procedures and precautions is necessary for all families that work at or frequent farm facilities.

And in addition to physical health and safety, mental health of our nation’s farmers in equally important. MSU Extension has developed multiple resources for farmers to help manage stress and mental fatigue that often come with the changing environment and climate that is affecting farmers everywhere.

Be Healthy Berrien is thankful to the farmers of our region that help bring food to our tables. Read more about how we are involved in the local food system click here .

SEPTEMBER IS FRUITS & VEGGIES—MORE MATTERS® MONTH

Join Be Healthy Berrien to celebrate Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® Month and enjoy the benefits of eating plenty of fruits and veggies. Fruits & Veggies — More Matters® Month highlights the importance of healthy eating – a diet rich in a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.

Adding more fruits and veggies to your diet doesn’t have to be expensive — there are many low-cost (or not cost!) alternatives. Add chopped vegetables to pasta sauce, eat kale – cooked or uncooked, or replace your afternoon snack with a piece of fruit. And simple changes can really pay off — eating healthy can help lower the risk of many chronic diseases — like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Fruits and veggies are also delicious! This is a great time to try a new recipe that features produce — or to bring home a fruit or vegetable that your family hasn’t tried before for fun. Remember, good habits start early — especially with kids. Encourage them to eat lots of fruits and veggies to help them develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

To get started, check out the amazing farmers markets and farm stands that sell delicious food grown right here in in Southwest Michigan at www.BeHealthyBerrien.org/eat-local.  Together we can help build a healthy future for our community!

Creating Connections to Grow Success

Be Healthy Berrien is works with other organizations across the state to help learn, grow, and share what we do. In August of 2019, we spent a couple of busy days visiting with the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, who works on food access projects including healthy corner store transformations. We have received a tremendous amount of support and expertise from them as a funder for our Healthy Corner Store Initiative, and a partner in a Community Collaborative Learning Project.

When people think of the YMCA, its often thought of as a fitness organization, but community health and wellness is at their core. The Grand Rapids YMCA showed us this first hand by taking us on a tour of many of their different partner organizations in the community like urban farms, neighborhood development projects, and corner stores. Their in-depth knowledge and partnerships within community organizations is key to the success of their programs.

We love seeing what other organizations are doing in their communities, and our trip inspired us to continue spreading our healthy corner store work into communities here in Southwest Michigan.

To learn more about our Be Healthy Corner Store Initiative click here. 

Southwest Michigan Local Food Council has BIG plans!

The Southwest Michigan Local Food Council has BIG plans for the next three years, and they want to invite you to get involved! The Council is a collective of advocates that takes evidence-based actions toward the development of an equitable regional food system that values local farmers and entrepreneurs.  The Council’s three working groups have created strategies to Increase the JOY for local food in our community, to Improve economic ABUNDANCE & FAIRNESS in the local food system, and to GROW infrastructure and resources to support our local food system.

Strategies range from organizing “farmer + chef” pop-up meals, to hosting social gatherings, to researching needs and market analyses.  But the Council can’t do it alone!  Our working groups meet about once per month and complete unique activities to move the strategies forward.  If you love Southwest Michigan food and want to get more involved in one (or more!) of our projects, CONTACT US and let us know!  We hope to break bread with you soon!