Jul 1, 2020 | Advocacy/Policy News, News
The USDA Food and Nutrition Service recently announced the approval of the SC Department of Social Services’ request to allow South Carolina SNAP recipients to use their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for online purchases of eligible food items. July 31, 2020, is the anticipated date for this service going live in SC and, at this time, Walmart and Amazon are the only retailers authorized by USDA to implement online food purchasing in South Carolina.
SCDSS requested approval for the use of SNAP benefits for online food purchases to support social distancing practices recommended by public health officials to mitigate risks associated with exposure to COVID-19. The Department hopes that other retailers and independent grocers within the state will be able to gain authorization from USDA to participate by the end of the summer, which will support local businesses and help boost the state’s economy.
Finding healthy food options that fall within the USDA’s healthy food guidelines can be achieved by using the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Amazon store The Alliance has a wide range of health foods, snacks, and beverages to choose from and they all fall within the USDA recommendations.
USDA recommends utilizing other options that retailers may already provide, such as Pay at Pick-up (also known as “Click and Collect”), where SNAP cardholders can shop online and then pay for their purchase using their EBT card at pick-up. Grocery pickup is already an option that these retailers offer beyond SNAP so they are already thinking through how they can provide a safe environment to do so with the growing concerns around social distancing.
Temporary Healthy Bucks SNAP Incentive Increase
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges for farmer’s markets, independent farmers, and some of South Carolina’s most vulnerable residents. In response to these challenges, the SCDSS has increased the maximum Healthy Bucks SNAP incentive amount to $15.00 until July 31, 2020.
The purpose of this temporary adjustment is to further combat food insecurity among SNAP recipients and to promote economic stability for Healthy Bucks vendors whose business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more about the Healthy Bucks program and to find a Healthy Bucks vendor near you, please go to schealthybucks.com to learn more!
Jun 6, 2019 | Advocacy/Policy News, News
Eat Smart Move More SC (ESMMSC) engages community and state partners in efforts to support healthy eating and active living policies at the local, state, and federal level. In a state that suffers from one of the highest rates of obesity in the country, ESMMSC and our partners are advocating for the state and local policy changes necessary to support individuals in the adoption of lifelong healthy habits.
The new advocacy platform includes initiatives that positively effects PSE change, which ultimately help prevent and reduce the high incidence of obesity in our state. The platform addresses the following settings: Early Care, K-12 Schools, and Community. The document outlines healthy eating and active living policy initiatives from out-of-school time, FitnessGram, and accountability to healthy food sales and service, Complete Streets, and SNAP and Healthy Bucks.
Download the 2019-2020 Advocacy Platform here. If you have any question or want to get involved, contact Phil Ford at phil@eatsmartmovemoresc.org.
Jan 24, 2019 | Advocacy/Policy News, News
Close to two million
South Carolina residents and employees in three major areas of the state will
have healthier food and beverage choices when they visit vending machines and
attend meetings that offer food. To make South Carolina a healthier place to
live, Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) teamed up with Voices for
Healthy Kids to help local government develop and adopt healthy vending and
food service policies. The City of Columbia adopted a joint policy and the City
of Charleston and Spartanburg County were successful in adopting a healthy
vending policy.
“To know that local
governments are taking the initiative for their employees and visitors is a
great sign for what’s to come in our efforts to increase access to healthier
options for all South Carolinians.”
The Columbia policy supports the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Healthy Workplace Guidelines and applies to vending machines on city property and to city-sponsored meetings. The City of Charleston’s AHA-supported policy only applies to vending machines, while Spartanburg County’s policy supports the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities and only applies to vending machines in county-owned or -leased property.
“Leaders in Charleston, Columbia, and
Spartanburg County are leading by example. They spend money on nutrition
education, wellness, and other disease prevention programs, so it just makes
sense that they should support these programs by offering healthier food and
beverages in public places,” said Ford.
In 2017, Columbia City
Council voted unanimously to adopt their policy; while in 2018, Charleston’s
policy was approved by Mayor John Tecklenburg and Spartanburg County Interim
Administrator Jim Hipp approved the county policy.
ESMMSC is excited to work with leaders over the next few years to support successful implementation of these policies. If you are interested in learning more or would like to adopt a healthy vending and food service policy in your municipality or county, contact Phil Ford, ESMMSC Manager of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Support at phil@eatsmartmovemoresc.org.
The Healthy Food Choices in Public Places initiative was
supported by a grant through Voices for Healthy Kids. ESMMSC partnered with
staff from Voices for Healthy Kids, American Heart Association, South Carolina
Hospital Association’s Working Well program, South Carolina Commission for the
Blind, and local government staff to achieve this monumental success.
Jan 24, 2019 | Advocacy/Policy News, News
Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) is conducting a study of our state legislators to examine their perceptions of the relative importance of different public health issues. You can play a key role in helping us by emailing your legislators today and asking them to complete our short survey. Our goal is to get 30-40 legislators to respond.
This is ESMMSC’s first call to action over the coming months. We look forward to working with you to make the healthy choice the easy choice. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Phil Ford, Manager of Policy, Advocacy, and Community Support at phil@eatsmartmovemoresc.org.
3 Easy Steps to Take Action
1. Find your legislators on the SC State House website.
2. Email your legislators through the SC State House website.
3. Copy and paste our message into the online form:
Dear Legislator:
Please complete the public health survey that was sent to you earlier this month from Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC), a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that is working across SC to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
ESMMSC and partners will be using the information to develop district-specific educational materials to aid in your decision making as it relates to your district’s public health interests.
I have included the questionnaire link below. The questionnaire takes approximately five minutes to complete. All of the information you provide will be maintained securely. If you are willing to sign the survey, it will allow for more district-specific resources to be gathered and prepared for your use.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3YCXXBS
Sincerely,
(Your Name)
Mar 8, 2018 | Advocacy/Policy News, News
May 25, 2017 | Advocacy/Policy News, News
There’s a new “micromart” canteen at the SC Court of Appeals building, and Judicial Department staff are looking for healthy options. In collaboration with the American Heart Association, Working Well, and the SC Commission for the Blind, Eat Smart Move More South Carolina (ESMMSC) hosted a healthy taste test on April 28 to help the micromart vendor determine what types of healthy options to sell.
“Here, we have a lot of health conscious people who watch what they eat and use their Fitbits to walk, so I definitely wanted to test out some healthy foods and beverages that my customers might be interested in,” said Maguya Walker, licensed vendor.
Walker is part of the SC Commission for the Blind’s Business Enterprise Program – a statewide program that helps blind and legally blind citizens become entrepreneurs in businesses such as snack bars, cafeterias, and other merchandising venues. Participants earn their business license, and are then assigned to various government locations around the state. Walker was assigned the SC Judicial Department and the SC Department of Education.
“I am doing some research now and developing my knowledge on healthy options because I want to keep my customers happy with what they want and what they’re looking for,” said Walker.
The newly opened micromart is the first canteen to be located at the SC Court of Appeals Building. Employees previously would have to venture to other buildings to find snacks and drinks.
“I’m very excited that we have something here in this building that will offer something other than salt and fat,” said Merrell Johnson, Office of Human Resources at the SC Judicial Department. “When we found out we were getting this canteen and that it was going to offer healthy options, I think everyone in our office was excited.”
Nearly 100 employees dropped into the micromart during the taste test to sample healthy options like greek yogurt, granola bars, and low-calorie beverages. Then, they rated each product they tested and provided feedback on whether or not they would buy the products. They were also given the opportunity request specific products and flavors.
ESMMSC and our partners are working with the SC Commission for the Blind and various municipalities and government agencies to ensure healthier food and beverage options are available in vending machines in government buildings, parks, recreation centers, and other public places.
“State and local governments have an important opportunity to support employees and the public in their efforts to make healthier choices,” said Hannah Walters, senior manager for policy and community initiatives at ESMMSC. “Even better, we know that stocking healthier options can be good for business and health. That’s a win-win.”
In February 2017, ESMMSC worked with the City of Columbia on becoming the first municipality in South Carolina to adopt evidence-based nutrition standards for foods and beverages purchased, sold, or served by the city, including through vending machines, meetings, and events.
