We lead and support a culture of health by creating an environment that makes healthy choice an easy choice. Our goal is to promote equitable opportunities. Our goal is to promote equitable opportunities for residents to engage in physical activity and to consume a nutritious, balanced diet. We implement policies, systems, and environmental changes and collaborate with 200 community partners to institute cultural change.
As part of the Healthy Savannah Healthier Checkout initiative, Healthy Savannah is also working on a direct messaging campaign to encourage shoppers to choose healthier options during impulse purchases at the checkout. In Savannah, the communities most affected by food apartheid are the low-income black neighborhoods on the east and west sides of Savannah, specifically in the census districts of zip codes 31404 and 31415. Healthy Savannah's work over the past 13 years has been successful in reducing the health equity gap. Data collected from the Healthy Savannah Community Survey and from focus group testing shows that people want and will choose healthier foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, if they are more accessible and affordable. You can also donate 0.5% of the purchase price of your items by using Amazon Smile and designating Healthy Savannah as a beneficiary.
Healthy Savannah is leading an initiative to improve health and well-being in East Savannah, based on a plan prepared to support a request for housing tax credits in support of Live Oak Landing, an affordable housing development proposal for the elderly, located on Wheaton Street, in East Savannah. Healthy Savannah wants to increase access to healthier foods by working with local grocery stores to increase the amount of healthier items at cash registers. In October, billboards will be placed all over the city showing characters in the shape of cartoons who are encouraged to “choose the healthiest, easiest option” at the cash registers. Unhealthy food options appear in grocery stores in large volumes: at the entrance, on the tapas displays, in their respective hallways, and at the cash registers.
Currently, there are five stores in the Savannah area participating in the program offering fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy food options for purchase. In Chatham County, specifically in Savannah, certain communities face a lack of healthy food options, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and quality lean meat. Healthy Savannah believes that urgent change is needed to forge a path to health equity and has outlined a plan to achieve it. This will also help address the needs expressed by the community and, along with the possible implementation of a proposed ordinance on healthy payments in Savannah, can directly improve access to healthy food.