SPOTLIGHT ON GARDEN PROJECT LAUNCHED IN GOLDSBORO

SANFORD - The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County in partnership with the City of Sanford, Seminole County’s University of Florida IFAS Extension Program, Goldsboro Front Porch Council and FarmDaddy Inc., distributed self-watering container gardening kits with seasonal seeds and potting soil to the residents of Goldsboro community in Sanford on June 25 and 27, 2015 at the Westside Community Center located at 919 S Persimmon Avenue, Sanford, FL 32771.

The event was attended by pre-registered residents of Sanford, Mr. Vernon McQueen, Chairman Goldsboro Front Porch Council, and elected officials including Dr. Velma Williams, Vice Mayor of City of Sanford and Commissioner for District 2, who was instrumental in making this project a reality. “The City of Sanford and the Goldsboro community are committed to help make Florida the healthiest state in the nation. Residents are encouraged to participate in physical activity and eat healthy food. It is so important we join together as a community with the Florida Department of Health to promote healthy lifestyles,” remarked Commissioner Dr. Velma Williams.

The initiative is part of the Florida Department of Health’s Healthiest Weight public-private collaboration to help communities make better choices about healthy eating and active living. “The number one public health threat to Florida’s future is unhealthy weight. As a community, we need to reduce and prevent obesity which leads to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County. The Florida Department of Health in Seminole County is working with various community partners to increase access to healthy produce in communities where it is needed the most such as the neighborhood of Goldsboro which is also a designated food desert by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Master Gardeners from the University of Florida Extension Program will be extending their expertise and tips to the community to sustain container gardening. The project will be monitored for success by volunteer liaisons from the community and representatives from the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County. The participants will also post the photos of their produce on www.facebook.com/eatwelllivewellplaywell.