Who Are We?
The City of Fitchburg and the Montachusett Opportunity Council are partnering with over 75 individuals including residents, city councilors, the mayor, businesses, environmental groups, youth and many others. This partnership is called Fun 'n FITchburg and we're taking a different approach to obesity. Our focus is on local policies, systems and environmental changes that will increase opportunities for Fitchburg residents to eat healthy and be physically active.
Would you want to walk in a park overrun by graffiti, litter and gangs? We didn't think so. But what about a park with police patrols, where local busniness and neighborhoods pick up trash, where heathy food are found at corner stores, and where parks have interesting activities for children and families? These are the kind of changes we're working toward.
The Problem
In Fitchburg, only 38 out of every 100 people are at a healthy weight.
Our Strategy
Our partnership has developed a Community Action Plan focusing on two initiatives:
1. Inreasing consumption of fresh produce
2. Increasing usage of Fitchburg Parks
Who Are Our Funders?
In 2009, the Montachusett Opportunity Council (MOC) was awarded a four- year Healthy Kids Healthy Communities grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to improve opportunities for physical activity and access to affordable healthy foods for children and families in Fitchburg.
The City of Fitchburg also received a grant in 2009 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. This Mass in Motion grant has a similar aim: to get Massachusetts residents eating healthier and becoming phyically active.
