Northeast Iowa invited to submit a Food and Fitness proposal to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
A five-county Northeast Iowa group, which includes Allamakee County, has been invited to submit a W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant proposal that represents a potential of $500,000 in planning costs and $3 million in implementation costs flowing into the area.
The proposal is for a multi-year project called "Food and Fitness." The project aims to create a system of change to get to the root problems of children's health issues such as obesity, diabetes, poor nutrition and lack of safe play places.
In addition to Allamakee, the other counties participating in the project are Winneshiek, Clayton, Fayette and Howard.
Northeast Iowa was identified by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation because of the work already begun by the Northeast Iowa Food and Farm (NIFF) Coalition which was formed earlier this year. NIFF is comprised of agricultural growers, bankers, market gardeners and orchard growers, extension agents, retailers, independent meat processors, economic developers and fund-raisers. The coalition's mission is to support the development and marketing of locally grown agricultural products to enhance the lives of local citizens in the five-county region. For more information about the Northeast Iowa Food and Farm Coalition, visit their website at www.NIFFcoalition.org.
Northeast Iowa now has the opportunity to create a broader collaboration consisting of grassroots groups, community-based organizations, and institutions representing not only the local food system, but also physical activity constituencies, public health and health care, education, economic development, transportation and rural and urban planning.
"Community voices will play a key role in setting the agenda and decision-making," said Brenda Ranum, Iowa State University Extension Winneshiek County education director and NIFF Coalition Co-Chair.
Once a "Food and Fitness" collaboration is created, a grant will be submitted for a two-year planning phase worth up to $500,000. After this two-year planning phase there is an opportunity for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to fund an implementation phase to put the plan into action.
"The implementation phase could mean up to $3 million in new dollars coming into our five-county region in Northeast Iowa from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, in addition to funds contributed locally to address this important initiative," Ranum said.
She added that "people in Northeast Iowa should be proud that the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has recognized our region's skills in collaboration and fundraising. This is why we are one of only a few communities from across the country invited to apply for funding toward the W.K. Kellogg Food and Fitness Initiative."
"Our challenge is to create a comprehensive regional action plan that will bring key community partners together to create systemic change related to children's and families health in Northeast Iowa," Ranum said.
For more information about the W.K. Kellogg Food and Fitness Initiative in Northeast Iowa, contact Teresa Wiemerslage at 563-568-6345.
Article Comment Submission Form
Site Design and Content Copyright 2010 The Standard Newspaper • P.O. Box 286 • 15 1st St. NE, Waukon, IA 52172 Telephone 563-568-3431 • Fax 563-568-4242 • E-mail: standardnews@neitel.net
