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The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has named Sarasota County a Healthy Weight Community Champion, the county has announced. Sarasota County was among 37 communities recognized March 14 as part of the Healthiest Weight Florida program, "which highlights local government efforts to increase phys- ical activity and improve nutrition," a news release notes. "Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration to help Florida's children and adults make consistent, informed choices" about healthful eating and activities, the release adds. "Efforts to improve health are often most effective at the local level, and the depart- ment wants to recognize the outstanding progress made by these communities to pro- mote healthy weight," said state Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong in the release. "The commitment of these municipalities and counties affects nearly 9.4 million Floridians and helps fur- ther statewide collaborative efforts to make Florida the healthiest state in the nation." According to FDOH in the release, local gov- ernments were identified because they can play a critical role in shaping environments so healthful choices become the easy choices, the release continues. Between November 2013 and February 2014, local governments were invited to submit best-practice policies they have imple- mented to promote physical activity and improve nutrition in their jurisdictions, the release explains. "These best-practice pol- icies are exemplified by the Healthy Weight Community Champions." "We are honored to be recognized for our efforts at helping residents make healthy choices," said County Administrator Thomas A. Harmer in the release. "By promoting healthy options and making it easier for our residents to make those choices, we are mak- ing Sarasota County that much more attractive to our current and future employers who will need to provide benefits to their employees." I n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n S a r a s o t a C o u n t y Administration submitted for the program — with support from the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County — staff high- lighted the approximately 150 parks, including the Legacy Trail/Venetian Waterway Park, the county manages and maintains. Also mentioned were the community gar- dens administered by the county through University of Florida Extension program and the Gold Achievement Award received by the Sarasota County School District. More information on Healthiest Weight Florida, including a list of the Champion Communities and best practices, may be found online at healthiestweightfl.com. COUNTY NAMED A HEALTHY WEIGHT COMMUNITY CHAMPION The Legacy Trail is among approximately 150 Sarasota County parks. Photo courtesy Sarasota County Sarasota News Leader March 21, 2014 Page 75