Cuyuna Regional Medical Center’s community initiatives to support food insecurity and increase access to healthy food choices will be the topic of KKIN Radio’s Community Connection program, 94.3 on the FM dial, Thursday, July 13, from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Social Worker Kari Lee Pietz will be the guest.

Pietz will discuss numerous ways CRMC works to improve area resident’s health by providing nutritious food. They include distributing food boxes to discharging patients, stocking community mini pantries, supporting Lunch Bunch, providing tokens for produce at Crosby’s Farmer’s Market and supporting its Power of Produce program, financially assisting area food shelves, distributing frozen meals to seniors, and offering healthy refreshments at community events.

A recent survey conducted by CRMC, Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, and Crow Wing County Public Health indicated most Crow Wing County adults are not meeting serving recommendations for eating fruits and vegetables. Because of this, more people are overweight and obese. CRMC’s objective is to increase the servings of fruits and vegetables residents eat and reduce the percentage of people who are overweight and obese to reduce their diagnoses of diabetes, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, high blood pressure, and heart trouble or angina. CRMC believes that implementing these strategies will help it achieve its vision for a healthier community.

For more information, visit cuyunamed.org or call Pietz at 218-545-5361.

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