Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living Now a Program of the Foundation

The Catalyst for Healthy Eating and Active Living program (the Catalyst), funded by two of our partners – the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust and the North Carolina Division of Public Health – has transitioned from its administrative home at the North Carolina Public Health Foundation to become a program here at the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation.

The Catalyst works to address key risk factors for chronic diseases by increasing support for active living and healthy eating in Beaufort, Burke, Cleveland, Edgecombe and Nash (the Twin Counties), Halifax, McDowell, and Rockingham counties. Using sustainable and evidence-based strategies, the program helps to create communities where healthier choices are available and easier to make.

Some of their activities include:

  • increasing access to fresh produce in communities
  • promoting community use of school and faith facilities for physical activity
  • developing comprehensive, long-term plans that address the health of the community

The program also has Local Catalyst Coordinators, who work in each of the participating counties to build collaboration, link to resources, and strengthen community involvement.

Catalyst program manager and current Bernstein Fellow, Jamie Cousins, is excited about the opportunity to transition over to the Foundation. “Joining the Foundation for Health Leadership & Innovation opens the door for new partnership and will also strengthen our current collaborations with Foundation programs including Rural Forward NC and the NC Rural Health Leadership Alliance,” says Jamie. “It is exciting because we share a commitment to advancing health in rural North Carolina communities and have a real opportunity to support each other in this work.”

President and CEO, Maggie Sauer is also thrilled to have the Catalyst join the Foundation team. “The Catalyst is doing amazing work to support communities and provide them with opportunities for change,” Maggie says. “And with partnership as the key to such change, we’re excited to work more closely with the Catalyst, the NC Division of Public Health, and the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to continue the good work.”

To learn more about the Catalyst program, click here.