Good Nutrition
Good Nutrition is one of the ways Live HealthSmart Alabama supports healthy choices. As one of our program’s four keys, we work to increase the availability of nutritious food through increased availability, insecurity screenings, and education.
To meet the needs of all Alabamians, our approach is as unique as the communities we serve. For some, this means collaborating with local farmers to host pop-up market events, and for others, it's visits from one of our Mobile Market units and supplying informational resources to residents.
While the needs of each community differ, limited access to fruits and vegetables is a consistent issue. According to Alabama Public Radio, almost 2 million Alabamians live in a food desert. To help address this, the Mobile Market is filled with fresh produce and a selection of pantry staples, proteins, and dairy. Our grocery store on wheels has everything you need to cook (and eat) nutritious food at an affordable price.
Purchasing on-site is easy; simply present cash, credit, debit, or your EBT card at checkout.
Live HealthSmart Alabama’s Pop-up Farmers Market is a unique effort that addresses food insecurity by bringing together local farmers to offer fresh, affordable fruits and vegetables to residents. Our markets, an extension of the good nutrition key, help improve health outcomes, support the local economy, and strengthen community bonds.
Market Schedule
Join us in our effort to make good nutrition available to all. Stop by one of our market events below or click on a community for a local, printable schedule.
Cooking Demonstrations
Interested in learning how to make delicious healthy meals? The Live HealthSmart Alabama Mobile Market has partnered with local chefs to perform cooking demonstrations at select market stops—using food available at the Mobile Market. View the schedule below to see when we will be in your community or follow us on social media for seasonal recipes to try at home.
Childhood Nutrition
Childhood nutrition is a cornerstone of lifelong health and plays a vital role in shaping the overall well-being of a community. According to UNICEF, proper nutrition during the early years supports physical growth and cognitive development, laying the foundation for a productive and healthy adulthood. When children receive adequate nutrients, they are more likely to perform well in school, engage in physical activity, and avoid chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
Healthy Happy Kids
Childhood obesity is a serious issue in the U.S., particularly in Alabama, where one third of children are overweight or obese. The Healthy Happy Kids (HHK) program addresses this problem by promoting good nutrition and active lifestyles among children.
Over an eight-week period, children in after-school programs are taught the principles of healthy eating and physical activity by preparing simple, nutrition snacks and learning easy games such as frisbee and kickball. These interactive sessions not only make learning enjoyable but also help children develop lifelong healthy eating habits. By gaining knowledge about the nutritional benefits of various foods and how to prepare them, children are empowered to make healthier food choices that enhance their overall well-being. Upon graduation, the kids will receive their apron and chef hat, commemorating their commitment to healthy living.
To implement Healthy Happy Kids in your organization, contact us.
HEAL United
Healthy Eating, Active Living. That’s HEAL United’s mission. This nonprofit uses active games, workbooks, calendars, and technology to promote good nutrition, active living, and sleep in students from K5-college.
Learn more about our partnership.
Community & Teaching Gardens
Community and Teaching Gardens—which highlight our education and good nutrition keys—are as unique as the communities they serve. Based on need, we’ve assisted neighborhoods with developing and maintaining their gardens as a way of creating hands-on learning opportunities.
In Selma, we established a collaboration with Jones Valley Teaching Farm to bring sustainable, food-based education to local school, Sophia P. Kingston. To achieve this goal, we empowered teachers with the knowledge and tools to integrate gardening and culinary learning into their classrooms, creating opportunities for students to engage with food in a more meaningful way. Each session focused on tangible, transferable skills, which include how to build and manage a school garden, conduct culinary lessons, deliver outdoor curriculum, and adapt existing classroom content to hands-on, food-centered learning.