Where We Live

Farmers’ Markets and Community Gardens

Farmers’ Markets and Community Gardens increase the availability of healthy foods, fruits and vegetables while building community involvement and changing the local food environment. To change and enhance the local food environment in Miami-Dade, partners worked to:

  • Develop five and expand two local farmers’ markets
  • Increase EBT/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) acceptance at farmers’ markets
  • Offer double value for the first $10 of EBT purchases ($20 of produce for $10 spent)
  • Conduct community outreach and food demonstrations for the markets
  • Enhance two local community gardens

What you can do: Visit a local farmers’ market. For a listing of farmers’ markets, visit http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Marketing-and-Development/Consumer-Resources/Buy-Fresh-From-Florida/Community-Farmers-Markets

Key Partners: Bochika, Urban Oasis, Earth Learning, War on Poverty, City of North Miami, Youth Lead, Garden of Ian, South Florida Regional Planning Council, Community Food Security Coalition

Consortium Committee: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Baby-Friendly Hospitals

A maternity facility can be designated ‘baby-friendly’ by UNICEF when it does not accept free or low-cost breast milk substitutes, feeding bottles or nipples, and has implemented required steps to support successful breastfeeding.To promote breastfeeding in Miami-Dade County, partners:

  • Assisted eleven of fourteen maternity facilities in Miami-Dade County with the process of becoming a designated Baby-Friendly Hospital
  • Facilitated trainings for hospital staff to create a breastfeeding supportive environment within hospitals

What you can do: Learn more about Baby-Friendly Hospitals at http://www.unicef.org/programme/breastfeeding/baby.htm

Key Partners:  Foundation for a Breastfeeding Culture, South Florida Hospital and Healthcare Association, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Consortium Committee: Children Issues

Active Transportation and Recreation

To increase active transportation and recreation, such as walking and biking, partners:

  • Increased the number of bicycle facilities, lanes and signage in the cities of Miami and North Miami
  • Developed urban design manuals to increase access to safe places to walk, exercise, socialize, and engage in healthy, active lifestyles

What you can do:  Take advantage of the new bike facilities and participate in bike events in your community.

Learn more about the Urban Design Manuals at: http://www.miamidade.gov/parksmasterplan/

Key Partners: City of Miami, City of North Miami, Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation

Consortium Committee: Health and the Built Environment

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