Volusia County, Fla. - Three Volusia County municipalities have been named Healthy Weight Community Champions by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach and Ponce Inlet have earned the 2016 designation.

The City of New Smyrna Beach officially received recognition at its March 8 meeting. Ron Rondeau, left, Florida Department of Health in Volusia County interim administrator, presents the Healthy Weight Community Champion recognition to New Smyrna Beach Mayor Jim Hathaway.

Ormond Beach will be recognized at the March 15 city commission meeting. The Ponce Inlet Town Council is scheduled to accept its recognition March 17.

Between October and December 2015, local governments were invited to submit best practices and policies they have implemented in their jurisdictions related to health and wellness, according to Ron Rondeau, DOH-Volusia County interim administrator. The work highlighted on the applications demonstrates local government commitment to making Florida the healthiest state in the nation.

The Community Champions program is part of the department’s Healthiest Weight Florida initiative. Healthiest Weight Florida is a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living.

###

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.