Bridging the Gap -

The Monroe County Nutrition Coalition is offering an activity to highlight September as National Fruit and Vegetable month as well as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.

The activity consists of visiting the five designated bridges in Sparta where a different sign has been placed at both entrances to each specific bridge. It provides Monroe County community members anopportunity to visit the bridges, engage in physical activity, and learn about nutrition.

Each sign contains one fun fruit and vegetable fact to read and an activity. By participating in the five bridge activities, community members are able to enter a prize registration and have access to other nutrition resources through the QR code on the signs or by visiting the Monroe County Bridging the Gap web page. Participants will complete a Google form that will track entries, progress and in the end will help us to award prizes. We are engaging Monroe County Health Department/WIC/Fit Families, healthcare, clinics, fitness centers, churches, Sparta Chamber and businesses, Fort McCoy, Monroe County employees, Monroe County History Room, Deke Slayton Museum, and Farmer’s Markets to participate. In addition, we have a lesson plan developed that is located on our web page for potential use by Monroe County Schools, Day Cares, Libraries, Head Start programs, and others to use as an additional educational resource.

Community members of all ages living in Monroe County are encouraged to join in the fun! Participate as a party of one, group of two or more, as a department, organization, classroom or business.

The Monroe County Nutrition Coalition vision is “A healthier Monroe County, one bite at a time” and the mission is “To build a healthy community through a comprehensive initiative to promote good nutrition and access to healthy foods.” Coalition members meet the second Wednesday of the month. Monroe County Health Department, WIC/Fit Families, School districts, Mayo Clinic Health System, Tomah Health, Gundersen & Scenic Bluffs Clinic, Sparta Chamber, Sparta Kiwanis, Food Pantries, Second Harvest, ADRC, UW-Extension, CouleeCap, Hunger Relief Federation, Family & Children’s Center/Great Rivers HUB, and Community Hunger-Solutions is represented on this coalition.

Bridge Map

Locate the 5 signs at each of the 5 designated bridges (marked with a fruit or vegetable on the map) in Sparta, participate in the activities, have fun and complete the google form to register to win prizes!