Media contact:
Wendi Jackson 386-281-6423
Chd64pio@flhealth.gov

Orange City, FL – On March 13, the Health Council of Southeast Florida announced that Plato’s Playgrounds (1) in Orange City is the recipient of Florida’s HEROs and an Early Care and Education Recognition and Award.

The Florida’s HEROs, or “Recognizing Healthy Environments for Reducing Obesity in Florida” is awarded for “commitment to promoting healthy habits among children and families and for the hard work that has been accomplished.” Plato’s had to meet five benchmarks in increasing physical activity, offering healthy food, offering healthy beverages, limiting screen time and supporting breastfeeding.

A couple of years ago, Plato’s Playground began to focus on creating a healthier environment for their students. Jill Taufer, a public health nutritionist who works for the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, helped them to create an action plan and goals that included planting a garden. This initiative was in partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia. Plato’s Playground purchased garden equipment and supplies, partially funded by a grant from Katie’s Krops, and have a raised-bed garden where students work and learn about growing vegetables that will later be incorporated into what they are eating at the daycare. Taufer plans quarterly visits and teaches the older students lessons on healthy habits. She recently took along tomato plants donated by the Volusia Master Gardeners. 

Plato’s Playground will receive a $1,500 award from the Health Planning Council and the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia has agreed to match the award.

For more information about the Florida’s HEROs ECE Recognition and Award, visit https://eces4healthykids.org. More information is also available about the Health Council of Southeast Florida.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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