Center for Regional Food Systems Michigan Good Food Charter

On June 4, Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Director Olga Dazzo announced the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan to encourage healthy lifestyles and curb rates of obesity. The “4 x 4” plan encourages Michiganders to practice four behaviors — 1) eat a healthy diet; 2) exercise regularly; 3) get an annual physical examination and 4) avoid all tobacco use — and to track four specific measures — 1) blood pressure; 2) blood sugar; 3) cholesterol; and 4) body mass index. MDCH will be launching a multimedia public awareness campaign and engaging partner organizations to promote and implement the plan.

While the MDCH plan focuses on personal responsibility for healthy eating, Washtenaw County Public Health has taken steps to link these individual measures with community measures, such as ensuring the healthy food is available and affordable in order to enable individuals to maintain a healthy diet. Michigan Good Food supporters can make similar links in order to connect the state plan with the goals of the Michigan Good Food Charter.