Countryside Conservancy introduce local food MOVment

This spring, Countryside Conservancy is expanding their focus on food access and nutrition to include physical activity. 

In May, they’ll kick off a two-month long event, Countryside Local Food MOVment, to engage market supporters with local food by encouraging them to travel the same distance as the products they enjoy from their favorite market vendors while raising funds for Countryside.

To participate in the MOVment, market supporters will don a MOVband, a simple and fun wrist-worn activity monitor created by Brecksville-based company, Movable, that leverages the latest accelerometer technology to track all movement and convert it into mileage.  The MOVband is equipped with three settings - time, movement, and total mileage- and easily syncs data to an online account. 

Through a free online account, they will track their physical activity as they move their way to 100 miles over the span of four weeks.  The 100-mile mark is a common benchmark for what is considered “local.”  Because all of our farmers’ market vendors are located less than 100 miles from the market, participants will get a feel for exactly how far their food travels each week to get to their plate.  Along the way, Countryside will send them personalized emails of encouragement, containing detailed profiles of the farmers and producers that provide their food, as well as information on nearby beautiful and historic points of interest in the national park system.  CVNP Ranger led hikes will depart from Howe Meadow on Saturday mornings to encourage customers to get active together. 

Participants will also be entered into a raffle based on the distance that they cover each week, with the chance to win exciting prizes like gift certificates to Heinen’s, Fire and Pub Bricco, Countryside merchandise and Countryside Farmers’ Market money.

A one-time $30 fee enables participants to register for the Countryside Local Food MOVment.  Once registered, they will receive their own MOVband, and a personal fundraising page where they can recruit sponsors and collect donations online. Participants will be encouraged to raise $100 ($1 per mile) for Countryside Conservancy with the help of their personalized fundraising page.

In an effort to increase activity and improve access to nutritious, local food, Countryside will also provide fifty Ohio Direction Card holders with MOVbands.  By participating in the event, cardholders will gain confidence using their Ohio Direction Card at the market, and will be encouraged to learn about local food, choose nutritious options, and increase their daily activity.

The event will kick off on opening day of the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow on May 11, 2013.  Participants may pre-register beginning in April via the Countryside Conservancy website (www.cvcountryside.org), at Countryside Winter Farmers’ Market at Old Trail School on April 6 and 27, or at the market on May 11. 

A finish line celebration will occur on June 8, where raffle names will be drawn and prizes will be awarded for Highest Fundraiser, Fastest Finisher, Most Miles Moved, Youngest Participant, and Oldest Participant.