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March 2017 News for Healthy Communities

2017 Healthy Communities Awards Receives Record Nominations
Denver Environmental Health received a record 39 nominations from numerous life-changing nonprofits, individuals and businesses for the 2017 Healthy Communities Awards (HCA).

The HCAs focus on individuals and organizations that make a difference improving public health in Denver. These partners help improve and protect the environment, advance food and child safety, provide access to healthy food and enhance the health and welfare of animals.

HCA categories and a selection of nominees are listed below.

Public and Environmental Health Good Neighbor Award - 27 Nominees
Recognizes individuals and organizations that have a longstanding commitment to advancing public health in Denver through environmental stewardship, promoting healthy people or caring for the wellbeing of animals.

2017 nominees include:
  • A nonprofit that pairs elderly residents with neighbors to assist with day-to-day needs such as transportation and provide company to improve wellbeing.
  • An urban gardening group that builds community through healthy eating.
  • A group of beekeepers seeking to educate and advocate about the insect's importance to the ecosystem.
Public and Environmental Health Innovation Award - Seven Nominees
Recognizes individuals and organizations that employ innovative strategies, processes, or technologies to improve public health and/or the environment in Denver.

2017 nominees include:

  • A group that collects and donates otherwise wasted food from events. 
  • An animal welfare organization that aims to improve the health and reputation of Denver's stray cat population through spay and neuter operations and perception surveys.

Excellence in Compliance Award - Five Nominees
Recognizes organizations that have consistently met or exceeded regulatory standards in food and child safety inspections.

2017 nominees include:

  • A food truck that goes above and beyond nearly all others to meet regulations.
  • A group that gives women culinary training to overcome employment barriers with food safety as a top priority.

Winners will be announced at the recognition event on Tuesday, April 4 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the McNichols Building. Mayor Michael B. Hancock will be speaking at the ceremony. For more information visit www.denvergov.org/HCAwards.


A Night of Furry Fashionistas
Make sure you don't miss the second annual Rescue
Runway - an evening of fashion and philanthropy to benefit Denver Animal Shelter!

Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres while browsing fabulous silent auction items, then head into the fashion show. Shelter pups and human models will be wearing custom designs by the Art Institute of Colorado. Ready to open your heart and home to a new four-legged friend? All dogs on the runway will be available for adoption! Rescue Runway is hosted in partnership with Furry Little World, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless pets. Join the party on Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. at McNichols Building. Buy your ticket while you still can!

Three Tips to Put Your Best Fork Forward for National Nutrition Month
March is National Nutrition Month. With help from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, we present three tips sure to make you Put Your Best Fork Forward this month.

1. Eat More Vegetables. No, seriously.
You're probably not eating enough vegetables, but you're hardly alone. According to a study by the CDC, 91 percent of Americans don't eat the federal recommendation of two to three cups of vegetables each day.

The countless beneficial nutrients in vegetables perform a variety of functions in the body, including promoting good vision, supporting immune function, acting as an antioxidant that may help prevent some types of cancer, and regulating blood pressure. Don't forget about the greens.

2. Ditch the Heavily Processed Foods.
The less processed, the better. Processed food refers to anything that has been purposely altered prior to consumption, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A lot falls under that, ranging from the minimally processed (canned spinach, 
cut vegetables, roasted nuts) to the very heavily processed (frozen pizza, microwaveable dinners). Heavily processed foods often contain ingredients that are harmful when consumed in excess such as refined sugar and sodium, or harmful when consumed at all, as is the case with trans fats.

3. Keep an Eye Out for "Hidden Sugar."
So many of the things that we eat and drink contain a shocking and deceptive amount of sugar. This applies not only to more obvious examples such as soda, but also to many food items we consume for their perceived health benefits. For example, one sports drink bottle contains the same amount of sugar as nearly 10 cookies. Make a habit of reading nutrition labels before you eat/drink. You may be surprised what you find.

For more information on Hidden Sugar and some help spotting it in your diet, visit hidden-sugar.org


DEH's Sustainable Neighborhood Program is excited to announce the addition of the La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood to the program. Congratulations!
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