Community Resources

In addition to working in schools, we work closely with Capital Roots to reach our goals within the community. Capital Roots is an organization that works to reduce the impact of poor nutrition on public health in New York’s Capital Region by organizing community gardens, providing healthy food access, offering nutritional and horticultural education for all ages, and coordinating urban greening programs. Visit their website here.

In fact, there are many resources available throughout the Capital District that support the access of Physical Activity and Nutrition in schools and the community.  Here is a list of a few of these sources:

Physical Activity Resources

• CDPHP Cycle! is a bike-share program that provides residents and visitors with an alternative form of transportation that supports healthy, active lifestyles while also offering a fun and easy way to explore our communities.
• Rudy A. Ciccotti Family Recreation Center houses a state-of-the-art facility with a wide variety of services that are designed for all fitness levels.
• Capital District YMCA is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Healthy Food Resources

• The Food Pantries for the Capital District Coalition consists of more than 65 food pantries in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties to help those in the community who need a hand.
• Albany & Capital Region Farmers Markets offers a wide variety of markets located throughout the Albany area where you can find an abundance of locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Childcare Resources

• Brightside Up is a local childcare resource and referral agency (CCR&R) dedicated to providing expert resources to the capital region in order to improve the availability and quality of childcare and to assist families in finding childcare.

Other Resources

• Just Say Yes to Fruits & Vegetables provides nutrition education for low-income New Yorkers and those participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
• CDC Healthy Schools website provides resources to prevent chronic disease and promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents in schools.
• NYSDOH Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program provides checks to women, infants and children through the Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) and to seniors through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for the purchase of locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables.
• NYSDOH ‘Growing up Healthy Hotline’ helps pregnant and parenting people in New York State find the help they need.
• Alliance for a Healthier Generation works with schools, youth-serving organizations, and businesses, to build healthier communities that support children’s physical, social, and emotional health.