Council in session

In an effort to combat diseases like diabetes, obesity and hypertension, the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) has established the Washoe County Food Policy Council. Members of the council are participants in Reno’s local food movement, and were chosen with the criteria of having a “passion for improving the food system in Washoe County,” according to GetHealthyWashoe.com. Ten volunteer council positions were filled, and members include Great Basin Community Food Co-op cofounder Amber Sallaberry, NevadaGrown director Ann Louhela, and registered dietician Barbara Scott, among others. The council will help bring the district’s Food Plan (which can be viewed at http://bit.ly/HqjF3E) to life.

In a press release from the WCHD, chronic disease prevention program coordinator Erin Dixon states, “Community health indicators, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other chronic conditions, are strongly tied to nutrition.”

WCHD also started Washoe Eats, a food inspection archive. The website is intended to get the public more involved with food safety practices. Food inspection scores can be accessed by typing a restaurant’s name in the search bar at http://washoeeats.washoecounty.us.