Health department announces $135,000 in Healthy Choices grants to 16 communities
The Iowa Department of Public Health has announced expanded funding of 5-2-1-0 – Healthy Choices Count! grants to five additional Iowa communities. Each of these communities will receive $30,000 in funding for the 2021 fiscal year: Ottumwa, Scranton, Sergeant Bluff, Spencer and Winterset. Additionally, 11 communities currently funded for the initiative will receive additional grants of $10,000 for their second year or $5,000 for their final year of funding. Launched in 2017, the program’s goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating through policy and environmental change. 5-2-1-0 helps keep kids healthy by focusing on four daily numbers: 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables; 2 hours or less of screen time; 1 hour or more of physical activity; 0 (or reduced) sugar-sweetened beverages, more water.