Healthy Eating, Active Living
Healthy Eating, Active Living
The Healthy Eating, Active Living Program provides accessible and safe physical activity spaces and connects communities to healthy food sources. By working with local aging and disability centers, health coalitions, schools, community-based organizations, and volunteers we promote healthy aging strategies, create opportunities to be physically active and promote health across the lifespan.
What Is Healthy Eating, Active Living
Dane County FoodWIse partners with local agencies to provide free nutrition education in English and Spanish to school-age youth, and parents/caregivers of children 18 years and younger.
Individuals and families
Community leaders and partners in schools, coalitions, childcare centers, senior sites, farmers’ markets, food pantries, and other groups focused on boosting access to healthy food options and improving access to opportunities for physical activity.
HEAL Educators also contribute to local and statewide coalitions seeking to strengthen community health by exploring and implementing policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives.
Provide structured exercise classes focused on strength training with health education to support healthy living
Foster a supportive community to enhance social connectedness
Empower participants to regain strength and confidence
Train and support communities and organizations
Our Programs
StrongBodies
StrongBodies is an evidence-based, progressive strength training program for adults of all ages. It is based on the StrongWomen Program that was created by Professors Miriam E. Nelson and Rebecca Seguin.
- Strength training reduces the risk of chronic diseases and increases strength, energy, and muscle mass. This helps us stay independent as we age, leading to longer, healthier lives!
- Want to get started today? Explore our statewide website for available classes in your area both in-person and online:
- You can also follow along with a recorded class at home by following these links:
- Interested in hosting StrongBodies at your site?
- Partner Testimonial: “Hosting StrongBodies classes at our church exceeded our expectations. Participants appreciated the welcoming atmosphere, practical exercises, and encouragement they received as they worked toward better health and mobility. The class fostered not only physical wellness and functional fitness but also meaningful connections among participants. We are grateful for this partnership and its positive impact!”
- StrongBodies Volunteer Leader Recruitment and Support
- Interested in leading a StrongBodies class in your community? StrongBodies offers Leader training 4 times a year to people interested in becoming an Extension Volunteer.
Pop-Up Farmers Markets
Dane County is home to many wonderful farmers’ markets, but some folks may have challenges accessing them due to scheduling, mobility, or transportation constraints. The USDA Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is available each summer for qualifying seniors and participants of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. To support families and individuals shopping with these vouchers, Extension coordinates pop-up farmers’ markets or farm stands at sites convenient to participants outside of a typical market structure.
- This model was piloted with senior centers and residences to connect older adults more easily with fresh, local produce.
- Read more about our the program and its impact here:
Farmers: This program is perfect for growers who need an additional market opportunity, require a flexible schedule, or want to support the community by making fresh produce easier to access.
Senior Sites: Whether you’re a senior center or a housing site, this market model offers opportunities for community building, expands access to healthy food, and supports local growers.
Childcare Sites: Extension is interested in hosting an on-site market for families at your childcare site?
- Connecting children with a local farmer is a great way to dip your toes into Farm to Early Care and Education strategies. Extension also has certified Go NAPSACC technical assistance providers to support nutrition and physical activity goals your childcare site may have!
Pressure Canner Testing
It’s recommended that you test your pressure canner annually for accuracy. Extension Dane County can test your Presto® pressure canner on-site. For all non-Presto® canners, we recommend contacting the manufacturer for advice on testing your equipment. Please be aware of the following details:
- Pressure Canner Testing is available by appointment.
- Contact Claire Mance by email or 608-224-3699 to schedule an appointment.
- Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. We are closed on County holidays.
- The charge is $3 per gauge.
- In addition to your gauge, please also bring your canner lid and gasket, as testing includes a quality assessment of both the lid and the gauge.
Wisconsin residents can call or email the Wisconsin AnswerLine to get answers to common questions about food safety, home food preservation, household management, and more. This service is part of a partnership between UW–Madison Extension and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The information provided is based on the latest research and is free to the public.
Community Collaborations
HEAL educators work with local and state groups to help people of all ages live healthier lives. Together, we build strong community connections, provide relevant resources, and support long-term changes to local policies and environments that make healthy choices easier for everyone.
We are here to support your organization’s health and well-being goals. Whether you need a partner to brainstorm ideas or want to find resources to kickstart a new project, please be in touch. We’re ready to help you discover new ways to support a thriving Dane County.
Meet the Educator
Healthy Community Coordinator
608-224-3699
As an Extension Health and Well-being Educator, Claire brings over a decade of dedicated service to local community health. Her work centers on building strong cross-sector partnerships and contributing to multisector coalitions to ensure all residents have access to healthy choices.
Claire actively collaborates with local government, healthcare providers, schools, and non-profits to address food security and improve wellness. She serves on key advisory bodies, including the Dane County Area Agency on Aging’s Nutrition & Wellness Committee, the Dane Food Access Network, and the Wisconsin Food Is Medicine Coalition. By connecting local partners, she has successfully led initiatives to deliver fresh produce boxes to families, establish senior pop-up farmers’ markets, and grow the StrongBodies program to be available to more residents.
With degrees in nutrition and food policy, Claire blends research with grassroots collaboration. She believes strong relationships are the foundation of healthy communities and remains committed to bringing organizations together to drive positive, long-lasting change across Dane County.