{"id":208919,"date":"2024-01-30T07:34:36","date_gmt":"2024-01-30T12:34:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=208919"},"modified":"2024-01-26T13:37:30","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T18:37:30","slug":"twenty-years-of-nutrition-and-physical-education-in-connecticuts-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2024\/01\/twenty-years-of-nutrition-and-physical-education-in-connecticuts-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Twenty Years of Nutrition and Physical Education in Connecticut\u2019s Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Neag School of Education is home to one of UConn\u2019s most sustained and impactful community initiatives \u2014 <\/span>UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport<\/span><\/a> (UConn HNS). For more than 20 years, the organization has operated as a community-campus partnership primarily focused within Hartford\u2019s North End, collaborating with elementary and middle schools, after-school programs, and recreation centers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Led by Neag School Professor Jennifer McGarry, UConn HNS recently underwent a merging and rebranding process, which included building <\/span>a new website<\/span><\/a> to represent the current model, while continuing its vital work of encouraging healthy habits and increasing access to nutrition and physical activity education.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCommunity engagement is at the heart of everything we do at the Neag School,\u201d Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. \u201cUConn Husky Nutrition & Sport has been a key part of that outreach for the past two decades, creating healthier school and community environments for both Connecticut\u2019s students and adult residents. I am excited to see how this next phase of UConn HNS will deepen its impact across the state and allow it to mentor even more of our Neag School undergraduate and graduate students. The skills our students gain through UConn Husky Nutrition & Sport\u2019s interactive, hands-on experiences are invaluable and make them better professionals in all fields.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jennifer
Professor Jennifer McGarry. (Neag School photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Historically, UConn HNS was two separate Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) organizations: Husky Sport (based in the Neag School) and Husky Nutrition (a UConn Health-based initiative). In 2021, as part of the <\/span>most recent funding allocation of $4.2 million<\/span><\/a> from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, McGarry\u2019s team integrated full-time staff, partnerships, and programs formerly led by Professor Emerita of Medicine Ann Ferris.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Throughout decades of service, including during this most recent merger, UConn HNS has continued to build upon its strengths of in-depth collaboration with individuals and communities, as well as extending its reach to new partners across Connecticut.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI appreciate that Dr. Ferris introduced me to the SNAP-Ed program and brought me on board as a junior faculty member so many years ago,\u201d McGarry says. \u201cHer mentorship has been formative to my career at UConn and engagement with community organizations across the state. While bringing our two organizations together has been no small undertaking, I am happy to be able to sustain and evolve the work of both organizations.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Community Collaboration and Student Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n

All UConn HNS community-based activities include sessions focused on physical activity and\/or nutrition education. During the past year alone, UConn HNS collaborated to plan and deliver more than 1,400 educational sessions with nearly 3,300 participants. These included:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n