Farm Fresh: Eat Local
Farmers Markets, Food Cooperatives, and CSA Programs
There are almost two million farms in the USA. About 80% of those are small farms, and a large percentage are family owned. More and more of these farmers are now selling their products directly to the public. They do this through Farmers Markets, Food Cooperatives and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.
By purchasing fresh produce and goods from your a local farmer, you can help to maintain a healthy environment, a vibrant community, and build a strong and sustainable local economy. Judith Schwartz explains that when you buy local more money stays in the community. The New Economics Foundation compared what happens when people buy produce at a supermarket vs. a local farmer’s market or CSA program and found that twice the money stayed in the community when folks bought locally (Time.com). A few more reasons to eat local:
- The produce is fresher than foods shipped in and sold at the supermarket
- Seasonal foods are at their peak taste, are the most abundant, and the least expensive
- The travel from farm to plate has less susceptibility to harmful contamination
Apples to Oranges: Farm Stand Basics
Farmers Market: a market usually held out-of-doors, in public spaces, where farmers can sell produce to the public. Consumers have access to locally grown, farm fresh produce, and enables farmers the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with their customers and cultivate consumer loyalty.
Food Cooperatives (Coop): worker or customer owned businesses that provide grocery items of the highest quality and best value to their members. Coops can take the shape of retail stores or buying clubs. Food coops are committed to consumer education, product quality, and member control, and usually support local communities by selling produce grown locally by family farms.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): a farmer offers a certain number of “shares” to the public. Consumers purchase a share (aka a “membership” or a “subscription”). Shares typically consist of a box of seasonal vegetables, but may also include various breads, flowers, eggs, meat, cheese, honey and other farm products.
♥ Celebrate Eat Local Month in August! Visit http://nheatlocal.org/ for information.♥
Resources
- http://nheatlocal.org/
- www.GreenPeople.com
- www.localharvest.org
- www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/farmersmarkets
“Planting the Seeds for Wellness” Fair
The Scott Lawson Companies (Concord, NH) held its first Wellness Fair on April 22nd. Local businesses and non-profit organizations participated in the free event organized by Workforce Wellness LLC. This was a great opportunity to experience a variety of approaches to health and wellness by showcasing vendors that specialize in a wide array of related disciplines.
Attendees were able to view the effects of sun exposure with a Derma Scan, indulge in a massage from Chichester Massage, and taste healthy foods prepared during a cooking demo. It was a ‘first’ for many to experience Reiki and acupuncture. Coppola Physical Therapy tested grip strength and Workforce Wellness LLC screened biometric measurements.
The Dover and Concord Police Departments entertained the crowd! People realized the visual effects of impairment by wearing the ‘beer goggles’. Attendees were reminded of the importance of wearing a safety belt after taking a ride in the car crash simulator.
There were many products to sample such as Badger Balm and Stonyfield Farm yogurt. Care providers such as Delta Dental, MVP Health Care and The Center for Health Promotion were well represented. Healthy recipes, nutrition and health information were exchanged.
The positive vibe and focus on healthy living was at the very foundation of this outstanding event! Thank you to all the exhibitors and organizations that donated their time, goods and services:
- American Cancer Society
- Arthritis Foundation
- Concord Community Acupuncture
- WS Badger (Badger Balm)
- Bikram Yoga Concord
- Center for Health Promotion
- Concord Police Department
- Coppola Physical Therapy
- Body Works Martial Arts
- Chichester Massage
- Delta Dental
- Dover Police Department
- Melcher & Prescott Insurance
- MVP Health Care
- Northeast Organic Farming Association
- Stonyfield Farm
- Workforce Wellness
The Perfect Match – Employee Wellness and High Deductible Health Plans
Consumerism and healthier lifestyle choices are important in lobbying for more affordable health care. The prolonged economic downturn has forced employers to take a close look at the rising cost of health care. Employers are instituting strategies that encourage employees to take responsibility for their own health.
An employee wellness program coupled with a high-deductible health plan, backed by a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), offer a solution. These health plans also referred to as Consumer Driven Health Plans. The underlying principle is to engage the employee in personal health care.
Employee wellness programs encourage healthy living through health education and support. Wellness program participants gain access to the tools and resources needed to make positive change. Employers that support the well-being of their workforce create a healthier, more productive and sustainable work environment.
Additional benefits of a worksite wellness program include:
- recruitment and retention of healthy employees
- decreased illness and injury
- reduced absenteeism rates
- improved employee relations and morale
- increased productivity
- overall reduction in health care cost
The health care spending account (i.e.,HSA, HRA) is used to pay for qualified medical expenses both covered and not covered under the insurance plan. Employees can maintain health care benefits and continue to access their providers. The health plan allows employees to determine the best use of their benefit dollars and decide what care and treatment to receive. A more economical approach to the expenditure of health care dollars will develop. The employer benefits from a significant premium reduction. Savings can be applied to fund wellness programs which will lead to a greater return in the long term – and have net savings.
Numerous health plan options are available and there are creative ways to design an effective wellness program. The overall goal of integrating wellness and a high deductible plan, supported by an HSA or HRA, is to save money on health care cost and promote a healthier environment and attitude.
Contact Jennessa Bissonnette at Workforce Wellness for more information at 800-544-8434 or email jbissonnette@slgl.com.
The Carrot or the Stick?
In response to the rising costs of providing health care benefits, employers have looked for ways to share costs with their employees. As a result, employees now realize the importance of being healthy. Companies recognize the need to promote employee health and have begun to implement workplace wellness programs. The goal is for employees to adopt healthier lifestyles and thereby, reduce health care costs.
The key to a successful wellness program is to engage as many participants as possible. As programs emerge, the question becomes, which approach is most effective at inspiring behavior change; the carrot or stick?
Economic incentives can increase participation and prompt healthy behavior change. In order for incentives to work, they need to be designed and administered effectively. They need to be significant enough to promote habit change and designed to be fair, convenient and realistic.
Voluntary, incentive-based programs produce positive results. The support from management along with an opportunity for employees to participate in the decision-making process benefits the employer and the employee.
Mandatory participation is not recommended. Studies show that mandatory participation may result in resentment and retaliation, primarily in the form of increased absence and reduced productivity. Penalties or disincentives for a lack of participation can also lead to charges of discrimination and violation of personal health information.
The employer can provide the tools and resources to educate and identify health risk factors. The motivation to change those unhealthy lifestyles habits is derived from encouragement, support and incentive for wellness participation.
The Value of a Health Risk Assessment
For all of us, lifestyle choices made today are an investment in long-term health. The success of an organization depends on the health and productivity of its employees. Behaviors such as lack of exercise, smoking, and poor diet are among the risk factors that increase the chances of becoming ill. Employers who take the steps to improve employee health experience an increase in productivity and a boost in morale. Health care costs and absenteeism are typically reduced. One simple step that can assist in this process is offering employees a Health Risk Assessment (HRA). An employer can benefit from the results of a HRA.
What is an HRA? The HRA is a confidential health questionnaire used to identify personal health risks. The HRA asks basic questions about health habits and history. Employees fill out a survey. The assessment generally takes about 15-minutes to complete.
The standardized form of the HRA allows for an overall evaluation of the participant’s current health status based on factors such as sleep, fitness, stress management and nutrition. Participants receive an in-depth personal report upon completion of the HRA survey. The report is in a format that is easy to understand. An overview of the participant’s current health status is given. The report educates about how to make positive and lasting lifestyle changes.
Aggregate HRA results may be used by the employer to promote employee health and address specific health risks. Offering health screenings, education and risk reduction activities creates awareness and supports healthy behavior change.
Research shows that poor health practice and the existence of health risks have a significant impact an organization’s bottom line. Taking steps to protect and improve the health of your employees is good business. This can pay off in lower health care costs, less sickness and lost work time, improved productivity, and increased morale. Health behavior research has shown that helping people identify threats to their health encourages the process of healthy change.
Employee Flu Shot Programs
Why Should We Provide Flu Shots to Our Employees?
- 114,000 people are hospitalized every year in the U.S. due to complications of the flu
- 36,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to complications of the flu
- Vaccination results in 32-45% decrease in absenteeism
- Average sick day costs $200 in lost productivity per employee
- Non-immunized workers have a rate of absenteeism that is 36% higher than immunized workers
- Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu and the spread of infection
Is an Annual Flu Shot Needed?
A new vaccine is developed each year, specific to the three virus strands identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as most prevalent. These strands will account for 70-90% of influenza that year. Since the strands of virus change yearly, you must be vaccinated every year.
Worried About Side Effects?
Vaccine is created from an inactive form of the virus; you cannot get the flu from a flu shot!!! Common side effects include: soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site, low-grade fever, and aches. Severe reactions are extremely rare. Flu shots are one of the safest, most effective vaccines.
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