Tools and Programs: Nutrition
Click on the links below to access tools and programs available from local community organizations to assist employers with increasing healthy eating opportunities in the workplace.
Healthy Workplace Food and Beverage Toolkit
American Heart Association (AHA)
The American Heart Association’s Healthy Workplace Food and Beverage Toolkit was created to help organizations improve their food environment and promote a culture of health. In addition to specific guidance and nutrition standards for beverages, snacks, and meals, the toolkit also addresses topics such as healthy eating, creating a culture of health, how leadership and management can be involved, special events, meetings, vending machines, healthier cooking methods, resources and links, and a glossary of terms.
National Eating Healthy Day Toolkit
American Heart Association (AHA)
Take the first step to making healthier food choices by taking part in the American Heart Association's National Eating Healthy Day on the first Wednesday in November. On this day, Americans are encouraged to commit to healthier eating. A toolkit provides materials and how-to information for workplaces, schools, individuals, and communities. Resources include a coordinator guide, posters, newsletter content, social media messaging, educational booklets, recipe ideas, and a lunch n’ learn presentation.
National Healthy Lunch Day Toolkit
American Diabetes Association (ADA)
National Healthy Lunch Day in November raises awareness about the need to make healthy choices at lunchtime. This day ignites a dialogue about the importance of healthy eating and moves the country toward healthier lunch habits. The free e-toolkit provides a wealth of lunch-themed activities, communication content, customizable posters, recipe ideas, and educational resources and infographics.
Mobile Farmer’s Market
St. Louis MetroMarket
The St. Louis MetroMarket is a nonprofit mobile farmer's market providing local companies with a turnkey solution for engaging employees in healthy eating and nutrition education. The MetroMarket offers weekly onsite service at corporate campuses, making shopping for healthy food fun, practical, and meaningful for employees. In addition, the St. Louis MetroMarket employs an innovative model of social enterprise, using revenues from corporate relationships to fund its mission of increasing fresh food access in low-income neighborhoods in the St. Louis region. This unique value proposition allows companies to simultaneously invest in the health of their employees, while helping feed those in need in their local community.
LiveWellSTL.org
The Midwest Health Initiative (MHI)
LiveWellSTL.org is a free website from the Midwest Health Initiative that is designed to connect St. Louisians to healthy events and resources that fit into their schedules and budgets. The website has four categories: Move More; Eat Better; Feel Well; and Lose Weight. Within the categories, information is listed for fitness classes, community races, activities for children, senior-specific events, cooking classes, local parks and trails, farmers' markets, weight loss resources, support groups, disease management resources, and much more. With new events added daily, the website is always growing!
Environmental Assessment Tool
St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition (BHC)
The Environmental Assessment Tool (EAT) is an evidence-based evaluation tool developed by the Partnership for Prevention, National Business Group on Health, and Dow Chemical to provide employers a clear assessment and recommended actions for worksite health promotion. The tool provides insight into the structural and social elements of the workplace environment, especially those components related to physical activity, nutrition, and leadership engagement. In addition to supporting employers in conducting an assessment, the BHC provides members with simple, inexpensive solutions to address the health-related environmental concerns highlighted.
Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Program
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
The Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program is a collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition to educate employers on the value of providing lactation support in the workplace and to recognize businesses that support their breastfeeding employees. Strategies to become to a nursing friendly workplace include identifying and setting up a suitable private room; scheduling appropriate breaks for nursing employees; and reviewing written policies.
Health Promotion Presentations
St. Louis County Department of Public Health
The mission of the Community Health Promotion division unit is to promote healthy behaviors in collaboration with community partners. Experienced health educators can present onsite at local worksites on a variety of topics. Nutrition programs are based on the American Heart Association heart healthy guidelines, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans developed by USDA, and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Health Education Sessions
St. Luke’s Hospital
St. Luke's Hospital can provide educational seminars, created and presented by health professionals, on a wide array of topics. These include diet and nutrition, fitness and exercise, general health, heart health, women's health, cancer/oncology, sleep disorders, and stress management.
Lunch and Learn Sessions
Visiting Nurse Association of Greater St. Louis
Nurses are available to come onsite to local workplaces and provide customized presentations on a variety of health and wellness topics, including: Living Well with Diabetes; Eating Healthy on the Run; Managing Stress; Making Healthy Food Choices; Living Well with High Blood Pressure; and Easy Ways to Increase Your Activity.
Health Education Workshops
University of Missouri Extension
MU Extension’s Nutrition and Health Specialists are available to provide workshops and courses based on the latest scientific evidence to improve employee health and well-being. The following topic areas are available: balance and fall prevention, strength training for older adults, healthy food shopping and preparation, food canning and preservation, mindfulness, and chronic disease and diabetes self-management.
Nutrition Presentations
BJC HealthCare
Description coming soon.