March 27, 2026 – As many as 33,000 people living in Chatham County (11%) have low incomes and do not live near a grocery store, limiting their ability to access healthy foods.
In recognition of National Nutrition Month® this March, Healthy Savannah has highlighted its ongoing efforts to support nutrition in priority neighborhoods, expand faith-based training, and address local food insecurity. As a leading advocate for health equity, the organization strives to provide resources to help individuals and communities implement this year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition.”
“Nutrition is at the heart of community health, and with the support of Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH), we can collaborate with citizens and faith leaders with the tools and knowledge they need,” said Armand Turner, executive director of Healthy Savannah. “Our work focuses on priority areas where healthy choices are not always accessible. REACH grants allow us to bridge gaps, build partnerships, and create lasting change.
One of the most prominent Healthy Savannah programs in this space is the Faith and Health Coalition, a network of faith-based organizations of all faiths that come together to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors in places of worship.
The coalition meets monthly and hosts the Annual Faith Walk each spring at Lake Mayer Community Park to bring the community together to promote movement and health.
This year’s event is planned for Sunday, May 3, from 3:30pm to 6pm at Lake Mayer Community Park, including a walk around the lake and additional activities that promote health and fitness. Partners include Tide to Town, Forsyth Farmers Market and GirlTREK.
Healthy Savannah also provides free Faith, Activity, and Nutrition (FAN) training to equip church leaders with strategies to promote healthy lifestyles in their congregations. The virtual 8-week self-paced course provides resources related to healthy eating, physical activity and discussing the importance of health, and provides guidance for creating a successful health ministry. This course is created by the University of South Carolina and is available nationally through the Health Ministers Association (HMA).
Since Healthy Savannah adopted the FAN program training seven years ago, 27 faith communities have completed the training and begun championing fitness from the pulpit to the pew.
Shirley V. Taylor, member of St. Philip AME Church on the Blvd, completed the FAN training in April 2021. Reflecting on his experience, Taylor shared, “The FAN program opened my eyes to how we can support the health of our members in a practical way. We started a healthy cooking series and added fresh fruits and vegetables to our church events. Our congregation feels more connected, and we see positive changes.”
“The training gave us the confidence to address nutrition and fitness as part of our ministry,” Taylor said. “Today, our church is a place where body and spirit are nurtured together.”
Fan-inspired activities at other faith-based organizations that have completed training include annual health fairs, awareness months (ie heart health month), Zumba, line dancing and other physical activity classes. The church also offers healthy food items such as fruit, water and grilled chicken during the event.
“Food insecurity remains a concern in the Savannah region, where nearly 13% of people do not have reliable access to food,” said Ruby Castro, Savannah’s Healthy Nutrition Program Manager. “Access to healthy food is important for overall health, underscoring the importance of Savannah’s Healthy Nutrition initiative.”
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