Morris Healthy Eating Community Food Assessment Findings

Some Morris Healthy Eating Community Food Assessment Findings:

Morris area residents are eager to find healthy foods.

On the University of Minnesota, Morris campus:

• Nine out of 10 students agreed that if they ate more fruits and vegetables, they would reduce their risk for some chronic diseases and cancers.
• Eight out of 10 had started making changes to eat a healthier diet or planned to in the next three months.

In the Community of Morris:

• Morris residents list nutrition as their top priority in choosing foods.
• Nine out of 10 Pomme de Terre Food Co-op customers would purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at PDT.
• Four out of five Stevens Community Medical Center staff support a “healthy food option of the day” at the cafeteria.

Barriers to Healthy Eating

On the University of Minnesota, Morris campus:

• Students identify cost as the greatest barrier to eating healthy foods. Stress is second.

In the Community of Morris:

• More people would like to garden but need access to land and other resources;
• People would like more fresh, healthy local foods;
• There is no 24-hour grocery store in the community;
• More than one-third of Stevens County residents rely on SNAP food benefits (food stamps) to access healthy foods.

People would eat healthier on campus if…

• healthy foods were less expensive;
• healthy foods that individuals like and prefer were offered;
• more fruits and vegetables were included in menu items and at campus gatherings.

People would eat healthier in the community if…

• cooking classes were provided;
• resources for gardening were available;
• there were more farmers markets;
• healthy options at restaurants and events were offered.