The Growing Healthy Communities Project serves University District residents by increasing their access to healthy foods and increased physical activity. Funded initially in 2011 by the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP), the GHC project has funded several activities including:
- Free garden training and free raised bed gardens for 150 UD families per year.
- Wellness screening for UD residents and one-year free admission to the UA Little Rock Fitness Center for UD residents who participate in the Wellness Fair.
- Healthy cooking class, “Garden to Grill Health Awareness Class”, for individuals and families.
Partners include the University District Development Corporation (UDDC) and the UA Little Rock School of Counseling, Human Performance & Rehabilitation Health Education Program. Funders have included the ArCOP, UDDC, AARP, US Pizza, Apple Spice Junction restaurant, Deborah Cooper CPA, American Beverage Association, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, and New Age Distributing.
