Early Childhood Nutrition Standards
Children establish dietary habits in early childhood that they carry over into adulthood. According to Healthy People 2020, “Early childhood (usually defined as birth to year 8) is a time of tremendous physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, and language development.” Mini-grant funding will be used to purchase items that directly support healthy changes and enhancements to the nutritional environment, promoting a culture of health for the children served. In partnership with early childcare centers in the Near Westside and Northside neighborhoods of Syracuse, the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) will support providers in the development and adoption of nutrition policies that create sustainable changes and have a long lasting impact.