b'Monadnock Farm LIVE and CommunityThe Monadnock Transportation Management Association HEALTHY Coalition(MRTMA) and the City of KeeneMaking Fresh Local Food Accessible to AllMaking our Streets Safer for AllOne step towards a healthy life is eating healthy foods. The evidence is clear: Eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables eachRegular exercise is an important component to a healthy Living a healthy lifestyle begins with eating nutritious foodday is vital to maintaining a healthy body and avoiding chroniclifestyle. Research proves that pedestrian- and bike-friendly and exercising regularly. And communities that make itdiseases.roadways encourage people to leave their cars behind to run easy for people to access healthy food and safe places toerrands or simply get outside on a nice day. exercise tend to have healthier residents. Many believe that eating foods closer to a local sourcesuch as leaner grass-fed meats and just-picked fruits and vegetablesis aCommunity leadership can help grease the wheels of alternative We are fortunate in the Monadnock Region: We have accesshealthier and more ecologically sustainable option.transportation by making roadways safer and more accessible to hundreds of acres of natural playgrounds, with walking/ One champion of the local food movement in the region is Amandato residents.hiking trails and bicycle paths, and pedestrian-friendlyCostello Littleton who, through her role as district manager for theOne movement to do this in the Monadnock Region is Complete sidewalks in our most urban city, Keene. We also have aCheshire County Conservation District, has helped create a coalitionStreets, a nationwide project spearheaded in the area by the thriving local farm community that provides fresh foodof local food producers and advocates, the Monadnock Farm andMonadnock Region Transportation Management Association through an increasing number of channels: from our manyCommunity Coalition (MFCC). (MRTMA), and the Keene Planning Commission; Complete grocery stores to our area farmers markets and establishedStreets was adopted as a resolution by the City of Keene in 2011. community supported agriculture (CSA) farms. The MFCC recently held its first quarterly meeting at Stonewall Farm in Keene which was well-attended by enthusiastic advocates ofThe Complete Streets model helps planning or public works departments consider all local food, says Littleton. There was a need in the community foruser groupsnot just carswhen reconstructing or building new streets, this kind of coalition, she says. People wanted an entity to worksays J.B. Mack, coordinator for the MRTMA and an employee of the Southwest collectively to increase access to local food, to network, make newRegional Planning Commission. Other user groups could include bicyclists, public connections, and share resources.transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.Already, the Monadnock Region is ahead of the overall stateThe goal is to make all users comfortable on our streets, says Mack. The Complete percentage for local food produced and consumed: About 18Streets model is not limited to urban areas such as Keene, but can be applied to our percent of the food we eat is grown or produced in the Monadnockmore rural towns. Region; statewide, local food consumption is at 6 percent. Wed like to increase that percentage to 25 percent by 2015, says Littleton. Were not talking sidewalks everywhere. But it could be as simple as a wider The MFCC Steering Committee provides on-going leadership and supportshoulder on more rural town centers to make walking or biking safer, says Mack. to the MFCC coalition which meets quarterly. Individuals and organizationsOne way MFCC is working to get more people on board eating that care about growing a vibrant, safe and efficient local food systemhealthy local food is through the Monadnock Menus initiative. ThisComplete Streets is about making it easier for people to leave their cars behind and are encouraged to join and support the goals of the coalition. For moreprogram works to make it easierthrough streamlined ordering andlive a healthy lifestyle, says Mack. If you dont have the infrastructure on the roads information about the MFCC or to become a member please visit ourdistributionfor institutions such as school districts, corporationsthat make it safe for people to walk and bike then they are less likely to make web site at: www.mfccoalition.org.Champion and MFCC Steeringthose activities part of their lifestyle.Committee member, Mary Jenson with cafeterias, jails, and elderly care facilities, to get fresh local food In photo: MFCC Steering Committee members from left to right: Jessdelivered right to their doorsteps.Gerrior, Emerald Levick, Amanda Littleton, Katherine Radune, Linda Rubin, Were really excited about this initiative, says Littleton. Our goal is Mary Jensen, and Angie Hauri The MRTMA strategic plan was released in 2012 and is currently to grow markets for farmers, and at the same time provide peoplebeing implemented by the coalitions 25+ volunteer members. better access to fresh produce. Its a win-win. The plan includes a Rack It Up program to increase bicycle parking in Cheshire County towns and advocacy to support the adoption of a Complete Streets policy in Keene. Learn more by visiting our web site at: http://www.monadnocktma.org or join The Double Up Veggie Bucks program will beus at one of our monthly coalition meetings.Champion and launched this summer. It will help communityMRTMA member, Peter Hanselmembers who use the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to use their benefit cardsIn photo: MRTMA coalition members from left to right: Michelle to buy fresh nutritious fruits and vegetables at theChalice, J. B. Mack, Corrado Paramithiotti, Susan Ashworth, Jan Keene Farmers Marketand get an extra $10 toManwaring, Linda Rubin, Ellie Cook-Venezia, Ryan Kmetz, Peter spend each market day. We hope to have the programHansel, Ellen Avery, Chuck Redfern, Steve Waleryszak.expand to other markets in future years.Champion and MFCC Steering Committee member, Jess Gerrior4 5'