Jun 2, 2020 | News
The wrongful deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and other black men and women have had a heavy impact on our coalitions, our partners, our staff and most importantly, the black community. These tragedies have sparked sadness, anger, fear, and a host of other deep-seated feelings. We acknowledge these emotions and want to publicly state that we are here to listen, empathize, support, and encourage action. We are committed to being a part of the work of ending racism.
For 13 years, Eat Smart Move More South Carolina has prided itself on working to create access to healthy foods and safe places to play for all South Carolinians, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
As we work towards sustainable changes in policies, systems, and environments that address systemic racism’s impact on health and health disparities, we strive to institutionalize equity into our processes and projects. Our core values support advocating and implementing long-term changes that give every single human being access to living a long, healthy life.
When things are unhealthy, unfair, inequitable, or wrong, it’s important to stand up and advocate for real change, whether you’re peacefully protesting, engaging in discussions with decision-makers and leaders, or using social media to organize and share resources. These actions, in addition to completing the 2020 Census, registering to vote, and casting your vote, are ways to make your voice heard and make change happen.
We will continue to expand our work to fight racism and ensure that all South Carolinians have access to a long, healthy life.
Apr 15, 2020 | News
In the public health world, our work focuses on improving the health of everyone in our communities regardless of race, gender, sexual identity, nationality, socioeconomic status, educational attainment, veteran status, age, physical ability, and many more expressions of identity. The work we do requires putting aside personal, political, religious, and other views to focus on the greater good of individuals and humanity.
Eat Smart Move More South Carolina staff recently had an opportunity to delve into equity, inclusion, and diversity by examining the root causes of our behaviors – how we were raised, how we think, and why we think the way we do. During three sessions of The Welcome Table, Jennifer Gunter, Ph.D., director, South Carolina Collaborative for Race and Reconciliation, and Latesha Murray, facilitator for The Welcome Table, led a discussion to understand and talk 
about racial divisions that have hampered unity and social justice. The Welcome Table is a safe place that fosters mutual respect, listening and learning from each other and are based on trust and perseverance. The discussions are also confidential.
One topic covered in the trainings was unconscious bias, the underlying attitudes, and stereotypes that people unconsciously attribute to another person or group of people that affect how they understand and engage with a person or group. For instance, we show a preference for people we are similar to in some way because we find them familiar and easier to relate to. 
This could be because of shared characteristics – such as class, ethnicity, or geography – or shared interests or hobbies.
At work, this could lead us to feel that someone is not talented, or not right for a role, because we don’t have the same characteristics or experiences in common. How do we fix this? Widen the work circle by working with a more diverse range of people and get to know them individually. This will help to improve cultural competence and lead to a better understanding of others.
Tackling equity issues requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society. Inclusion is the act of creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate. A diverse team is only part of what makes a more equitable workplace. Making sure that different voices are heard, that people feel respected 
and valued, and that they are in environments where they can do their best work, is where inclusion comes in.
Creating diverse teams – employees, committees, workgroups, boards, and other collective groups – is important for hearing ideas from people with different perspectives and experiences, which leads to more strategic work and outcomes in our public health work. Diversity can also foster stronger alliances, a more complete understanding of the issue being addressed, and improved collaboration to achieve a common goal.
For more information about The Welcome Table or to schedule a training for your organization, contact the University of South Carolina’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Apr 15, 2020 | News
Since March 13, Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) has worked with more than 100 statewide partners to provide emergency preparedness materials and healthy food source locations to partners and the public in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ESMMSC has been working with organizations such as local school districts, farmers, food pantries and community coalitions, SC Department of Education, SC DHEC, SC Farmers Market Association, Carolina Farm Steward Association, senior services, SC Hospital Association, SC Office of Rural Health, Healthy Learners, Food Research and Action Council, and SC Food Policy Council to identify needs, available services, capacity, and connect partners who normally would not work together.
“As a result of the food insecurity partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaps in food distribution services that include staffing, equipment, transportation, physical distribution, public-private partnerships, and planning have been identified,” said Meg Stanley, executive director at ESMMSC. “As food insecurity needs increase, convening and connecting continues with all levels of consideration being presented.”
Part of the solution to the food insecurity issue is the Food Insecurity Resources webpage, which contains funding opportunities, guidelines, food system support, food insecurity data, and low- or no-cost healthy food sources for communities and organizations across the state. Since the webpage went live on March 20, ESMMSC has experienced an increasing amount of traffic to the website. Nearly 6,000 people from across the country have visited the page with 1,588 people clicking on the various links on the page.
“While we are thrilled the webpage is valued by partners and organizations, it is not the end-all of our work related to this crisis. We are assisting other organizations by addressing food delivery barriers and we’re seeking new funding to support community-level organizations with sourcing healthy food,” said Meg Stanley, executive director at ESMMSC. “We also continue to update the webpage daily with new and updated information, including information in Spanish.”
ESMMSC worked with Healthy Learners and SC PASOS to translate a portion of the page into Spanish. The Local Activity section, as well as the SC Food Banks and Farmers Markets spreadsheet located under Statewide Activity, will help the Latinx community find local healthy food.
“Our Latinx community is just as important as any other group. They make up a large part of the food insecure population,” said Stanley. “Because ESMMSC has a strategic focus on equity and inclusion, we felt it was imperative to provide a Spanish translation.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on emergency preparedness within organizations and the importance of partnerships in addressing food insecurity during this time of crisis. Luckily, ESMMSC has a strong network of partners who have been working tirelessly to ensure South Carolinians have access to healthy food and organizations have access to best practices.
Apr 15, 2020 | News
Social distancing has changed the way we all do business these days, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has created a massive amount of uncertainty, heightened awareness of our environments, and moved most of our work to the virtual format.
Because of this uncertainty and to maintain healthy social distancing during the unforeseen future, Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) will not be hosting the 2020 Leadership Summit for Healthy Communities. Instead, the annual healthy eating and active living conference will be moved to early 2021, a move that will position the event to reach more coalitions and public health professionals during a time of year when not many healthy eating and active living conferences happen. In lieu of a fall event, ESMMSC is planning a multitude of webinars, some of which will be free.
“Continuing education plays an important role in keeping coalitions and public health professionals abreast of the latest successes and barriers associated with policy, system, and environmental change strategies,” said Meg Stanley, executive director at ESMMSC. “To ensure we provide the appropriate webinars, we are asking our coalitions and partners to help us by completing a survey of their education and training needs.”
The brief survey will allow ESMMSC staff and the Leadership Summit Planning Committee to brainstorm webinar topics and design an online experience that will be beneficial and engaging. To complete the survey, click here.
Mar 20, 2020 | News, The HYPE Project
A youth group at Pine Grove AME Church are trying to do something about the health of their community by implementing health policies and educating the congregation on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. Through a partnership between Eat Smart Move More South Carolina and the 7th District AME Church, nine teens and pre-teens involved in Pine Grove’s Young People Division (YPD) had a chance to participate in The HYPE Project and learn about policy, system, and environmental change and the positive impact they can have on their community.
“I just let them take charge,” says Miranda Blocker, Pine Grove AME Church YPD Director and HYPE Team Adult Advisor. “They created the plan and did all of the work. They really did.”
Two senior members of the HYPE team – Alex Blocker (17) and Sabrina Bowman (18) – took the lead on creating an action plan by researching and developing key focus areas. Healthy eating and active living policies within the church and a church garden were agreed upon by the HYPE team.
“We modeled it after some other plans that we saw and made it off of the needs that we could do,” said Alex. “We tried to be realistic, but also optimistic in how we could do it.”
Once the HYPE team completed the action plan, it was a matter of getting it up the chain of command, so to speak. Ultimately, the elders and the pastor approved the plan and cleared the path to healthy change.
“I’ve been around here for a long time. I do a lot with the children. If the children present something, the church is going to support them 100 percent,” said Miranda.
Healthy Eating and Active Living Policies
The Pine Grove HYPE Team wanted to ensure meals and snacks being served at all church-hosted events would be healthy choices, and only water would be served in the fellowship hall. The group also wanted a 5-minute physical activity break incorporated into Bible Study, Sunday School, church meetings, and the afterschool program. The youth successfully advocated for all these healthy policy changes.
According to the HYPE team, there wasn’t a lot of pushback. “We had people ask for sweet tea, but we stood by our water policy,” said Eric Gamble, Jr. (17).
“The policy itself was easy. Some of it was simple. Like during a meeting, stop right there and do 5 minutes of cardio. That’s easy for them to do,” said Alex. “But, when it comes to just serving water at an event, now you’re interfering with someone’s committee. But it all worked out. Everything in the policy got approved, and I don’t think we had to actually change anything. So, they were pretty open to it.”
All the policies also apply to the afterschool program. Kids are encouraged to go outside and play. The church provides access to jump ropes, balls, and green spaces.
“We look forward to going outside, being ourselves, and going outside to play with each other,” said Elise Gamble (11).
Church Garden
It’s a small church garden, but it’s the start of something big and it’s full of purpose. With the help of a congregation member with experience in gardening, the HYPE team created a garden out of plastic barrels cut to the size of planters, which saved a lot of time with removing grass and cultivating the soil.
“We saw it was something the church could do and that we could rent to other places. It just made sense to be sustainable and grow healthy food. That way you’re not only learning new things but you’re also eating it,” said Alex.
“When we started this, the kids were green. That’s something people don’t do anymore. They don’t have gardens,” said Miranda. “What would’ve taken us 15 minutes to plant seeds, it took us two hours. Our instructor who was teaching us was very meticulous. What was most exciting was when people would come to church and see it grow.”
The garden is in a green space near the entrance to the church, so as congregants arrived, it piqued their interest. According to Miranda, they were very curious about the garden and asked, ‘What are you going to give to us,’ ‘When can we eat some,’ ‘Who is this for,’ or ‘I’m going to pick those greens.’
Again, Miranda let the youth do all the work and take care of the garden. The church hosts an afterschool program, so the kids were responsible for watering the garden twice a week. They even created some creative signs for the plants, like Bushy Broccoli and Cool Collards.
“The kids enjoy it. The kids are always ready to mess in the garden and go outside and play. The grown-ups, they enjoy it too. They like that their kids are liking to go outside, are moving more, and not staying inside playing games and being in front of a screen,” said Eric.
The Future
The Pine Grove HYPE Team plans to continue their garden with the next planting in Spring 2020. They’ll plant a variety of vegetables – tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, etc. They eventually want to increase the amount of food they produce and give it to the senior members of their church and ultimately, to the community.
As far as physical activity goes, they’re planning on building a basketball court that can be used for other youth activities like dodgeball or kickball. They’re also planning on creating a walking path in the adjacent parking lot.
“I think all of the outside field activities can be for the community. If they come consistently, the parents might see there’s a church and could be interested in attending,” said Alex.
The HYPE Project has taught youth the importance of being involved in their community and helping others. It’s also taught them some personal lessons. When they first heard about The HYPE Project, they weren’t sure what they were getting themselves into. They said they never intentionally thought about eating healthy, but now they do.
When asked what they think about The HYPE Project after creating an action plan, working with leadership, and implementing the changes, they all agreed that it has been a positive experience.
“It’s great. I’m not just saying it because they gave us money. That’s also good. But everything we’ve talked about as far as helping the kids, helping the adults. It’s definitely something that more communities need. I think we all love it. The kids love it,” said Eric.
Elise said, “I wouldn’t want to change it because everyone’s working together to make it happen.”
“I think it’s a big impact. When we first thought about it, we really didn’t know what it was,” said Amari Rogers (16). “It really helped us grow. It helped me focus more on what I eat and making healthy choices.”
Alex said, “I had to talk to people to get the HYPE Project passed and working to create a policy. It might not be the same in terms of politics, but the process of creating it was still the same. That definitely helped me in other areas, and then again, just the people skills, the social skills in working with Eric on creating the video and talking to everyone else. So, everything kind of went hand in hand preparing me for other things.”
