Use the Lorain County Local Food Guide

Healthy eating helps manage body weight and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. What we eat depends on our personal preference, culture, habits, and the availability of foods. In order to make lifestyle changes, healthy food must be available, affordable, and taste good. 

At Lorain County Public Health, we help make choosing healthy foods easier. We...

Implement healthy food policies

• Lactation support toolkit for better breastfeeding policies
• Healthy food and drink guidelines at local worksites
• Healthy menus and mealtime policies at early childcare education centers

Change the food environment

• Breastfeeding (lactation) rooms at worksites
• Healthy concession stand options like bananas, inexpensive water, and baked chips
• More vending machine options for healthier snacking
• Hydration stations to increase the availability of water

Support lasting changes

• School-based pantries for families that are experiencing food insecurity
• Local produce pickups in partnership with City Fresh CSA , the Heart & Sole Collaborative, and the KEY Collaborative
• Help farm markets accept SNAP (food stamps). Check out a listing of local farm markets, revised July 2023
• Kitchen skills and education at the Lorain Public Library System
• CSA's, Farm boxes and community gardens - Check out the Lorain County Local Food Guide, revised November 2023 

Help eligible families enroll in WIC:

• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is a federal nutrition education program conducted through the Ohio Department of Health 
• WIC provides supplemental foods which promote good health for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age 5 
• Infants can get supplemental formula and/or baby food and infant cereal

Other examples of proven healthy eating programs:

• Increase healthy food and drink options at affordable prices
• Promote water to reduce drinking sugar-sweetened drinks
• Write new food service guidelines
• Expand Community supported agriculture (CSAs) and farm markets 
• Promote breastfeeding-friendly environments
• Teach food education and skill development
• Maintain community and school gardens
• Support fruit and vegetable reward programs