Healthy Start (HS) is a collaborative providing experiences, education, and access to healthy lifestyle choices that improve the health, behavior, and attitudes of children and their families. HS targets children enrolled in Head Starts and elementary schools in MUAs in Roanoke City, along with their parents and caregivers. HS partner agencies and programs provide education about and tastings of whole foods in schools; incentives for participants to shop at the LEAP Mobile Market in their neighborhoods; education about healthy food and nutrition, cooking, and gardening to parents and caregivers; and families with the tools they need to prepare healthy whole foods at home.
Healthy Start partner agencies include Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, LEAP, Roanoke City Public Libraries, Roanoke Community Garden Association, TAP Head Start, and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Healthy Start is generously supported by funding from Wells Fargo and the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth.