For Immediate Release: June 27, 2017
Media Contact: Gannon Wegner, 602-372-0946, GannonWegner@mail.maricopa.gov
Maricopa County Public Health Earns National Achievement Award for New App
Free app puts fresh food and fun activities in the palm of your hand
PHOENIX – Good health starts with a download and the National Association of Counties (NACo) agrees. NACo just recognized Maricopa County with an Achievement Award for its new Maricopa Healthy app. The free app is a great way for county residents and visitors to find local farmers markets, delicious recipes and fun ways to stay physically active.
Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), competing against municipalities throughout the U.S., earned the award in the category of information technology. The award honors forward-thinking, adaptive county government programs that provide innovative services to residents.
"We’re excited to offer this technology to our residents to help them identify low- and no-cost options to stay physically active," said Dr. Bob England, director at MCDPH. "Shopping for healthy foods is also easier with the app. People are usually surprised by the number of farmers markets we have in the valley, some right in their own backyard."
Each farmers market listing features the market’s location, hours and whether they accept supplemental food and nutrition assistance (e.g., SNAP, WIC, or FMNP). Other features of the app include:
- An interactive map to local parks, each listing features and amenities.
- More than 100 quick and easy-to-follow recipes with nutritional information.
- A wide-range of fitness activities organized from A to Z.
- Free and low-cost events to keep you healthy and fit.
- A collaborative map showing biking routes, transit hubs and bike rental locations.
- An integrated trip planning section featuring bus and light rail transit options.
NACo President Bryan Desloge said, “Counties overcome complex challenges, provide essential services and constantly do more with less. We applaud these Achievement Award-winning counties for outstanding efforts to improve residents’ quality of life.”
More About MCDPH and NACo
The Maricopa Healthy app, with funding from the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the Arizona Nutrition Network, was designed by MCDPH as part of a broader county initiative to help individuals and families find low- and no-cost ways to live a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity and healthy eating can contribute to the reduction of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease and help prevent early death.
Find your healthy adventure with the Maricopa Healthy app by downloading it for free in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about the app and all of its features at www.MaricopaHealthy.org. Available for Apple and Android phones and tablets.
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