Worksite wellness program offered to local businesses.

#OceanaCountyNews #BetterHealthBetterBusiness

HART — District Health Department #10 is offering a worksite wellness program, Better Health Better Business, at no cost to all eligible businesses in Oceana County.

“Chronic diseases such as, obesity and diabetes can lead to lower productivity and increased days of work missed,” states a press release from the health department. ‘Wellness programs in the workplace can positively impact many levels of an organization from improved employee health to enhanced productivity.

“For workplaces to be eligible for the Better Health Better Business program, they must have a minimum of 25 employees and employees must meet specific annual income requirements.

“Businesses will work with a worksite wellness consultant to create a personalized work plan that focuses on creating a healthy work environment. The worksite wellness consultant will provide training on how to implement a successful wellness program and offer onsite nutrition and cooking classes for employees. Businesses will also receive monthly materials and resources to maintain their worksite wellness program.

“The Better Health, Better Business worksite program, supported by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education at the Michigan Fitness Foundation, uses the Fit Business Toolkit to assist worksites with creating healthier work environments. The Fit Business Kit provides an array of tools and resources to support employers to create a healthy workplace culture. Businesses also have the opportunity to have employees participate in the Learning Kitchen classes. This class is a series of six lessons where employees engage in hands-on cooking and nutrition education activities. These lessons focus on balancing and planning meals, stretching food dollars to maximize nutrition, shopping strategies and cooking techniques.”

For more information and the program and to determine eligibility, contact local worksite wellness consultant, Erin Barrett at (231)902-8545 or ebarrett@dhd10.org. This program is funded by the USDA, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

The recruitment phase of this program runs until Oct. 31.