STRUTHERS — City council at its meeting last week welcomed representatives from Mahoning County Public Health to outline plans for implementing Ohio’s Creating Healthy Communities Grant — a five-year program aimed at expanding opportunities for physical activity and improving access to affordable, healthy food.

The opportunity builds on MCPH’s recent successes with the Healthy Eating and Active Living Grant in Sebring, with initiatives like a farmers market, a strengthened partnership with food pantries to increase the availability of fresh produce and an education campaign about accessing public transit services via Western Reserve Transit Authority.

“The (CHC) grant seeks to prevent and reduce chronic disease by collaborating with communities to improve access and affordability of healthy foods, as well as increase opportunities for physical activity where we work, live and play,” said Lisa Slukovich, MCPH Community Health education specialist. (It) focuses on sustainable evidence-based policy systems and environmental changes that promote a culture of health within the community.”

This summer, MCPH plans to take part in a large community event to engage with the public and directly hear what they would want implemented, though some strategies already have been determined.

Active living investments include:

• Park / playground equipment upgrades

• Bike / pedestrian infrastructure (multi-use trails, sidewalks, complete streets policies)

• Public transit improvement and commute support

• Land-use planning to encourage walkability

Healthy living investments include:

• Expanding food banks / pantries with healthier stock

• Farmers market.

• Community gardens

• “Safe Routes to Healthy Food” programs

• Produce prescriptions

• Updated food service guidelines

“One of the biggest things that we’re excited about is that they have implementation dollars for after the plan is complete,” said Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller, underscoring the importance of a lasting and sustainable change that the program provides.

She said Struthers City Schools Superintendent Pete Pirone’s commitment to involving the school and its nutrition specialist allows for a larger community impact.