When a new mayor took office in North Miami, he wasted no time bringing physical fitness to the forefront of his community’s consciousness. He promoted a monthly mayor’s bike ride and made it known that workplace wellness was on his agenda. This coincided with efforts by a local collaborative to make environmental changes to reduce obesity in the community. What could have been a single program has turned into a movement with multiple objectives and a life of its own.

Simultaneously, staff at the North Miami Parks and Recreation Department started a “weight watchers at work” program, the results of which were soon visible to all staff. The program evolved into regular meetings about nutrition and healthy meeting options – and the leaders’ own personal weight-loss successes helped recruit new participants. “When you feel good about yourself, you feel good about your community” say North Miami Mayor de Pierre.

With the momentum from these two events, the mayor’s strong support and the successful weight loss and nutrition program, a local collaborative was confident in proposing some healthy projects for the community: underwriting the launch of a farmers’ market on City Hall grounds, and a healthy vending program. 

The farmers’ market is well loved by city workers, who can walk out their office doors to buy fresh produce and lunch rather than drive somewhere for fast food. A park and recreation department staff member sends out an e-mail blast the morning of the market to tell city employees what is being featured that day, including lunch specials and a vendor list. The market holds food demonstrations to highlight healthy meal options, and a spice vendor teaches people how to reduce sodium intake by making use of other spices instead. While it began as a four-month trial program, city workers are pushing to have it extended beyond June and possibly year-round. Vendors are hoping for a longer market season as well, since they have had great economic success there.

While the healthy vending program was initially a challenge, the coalition looked to other municipalities for examples and used them as a selling point. They took advantage of lapsing contracts with vending machine companies to review the fare offered, and make revisions. With a few champions, this coalition was able to start a culture change in the community by promoting healthy options and a different way of thinking about nutrition and exercise. 

And as North Miami participated in the “All American City” competition, they were able to use the work of this local coalition as a selling point for the city as a whole. The community is so proud of the work done by the group, new unique partners are joining. Participants from the public library, local physicians, as well as public employees are signing on to the goals and the work of this group. The Mayor is a strong and vital advocate for the work of the coalition, bringing together groups to change a culture of unhealthy food choices.