Healthy Choices

To develop sustainable strategies that encourages the population of Crow Wing County to make healthy choices.

Identified Focus Areas

Health outcomes like decreases in incidences of diabetes and cardio-vascular mortality, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and better immune system function can be linked to spending time outdoors. In fact, these positive effects that are so well-documented that more and more doctors are issuing “nature prescriptions” to help treat a range of conditions from heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, to chronic stress, depression and anxiety, insomnia and even PTSD. Visit the Nature Network to learn more.

Approaches: Meet regularly to develop and promote health and wellness options for the aging population in Crow Wing County. Click to download PDF with detailed information about The Guiding Principles.

University of Minnesota Extension’s SNAP-Ed program makes the healthy choice the easy choice for Minnesotans with limited financial resources. Learn About Food Resources in Crow Wing County»

Approaches: Healthy Concessions, Vending machines, Farm to school, School gardens. View this child-friendly clip.

Approaches: Active Recess, Before and after school activity, PE curriculum, Safe Route to School. Read about Brainerd Dispatch article about active classrooms

Approaches: Food Shelves
Farmer’s Market availability & possible EBT addition, City gardens.

Community Food Shelves

208 S 5th St, Brainerd
218-829-1120
Tues. 9:00 am-12:00 pm & 1:00 pm-3:30 pm
Wednesday–Fri. 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

302 Cross Ave, Crosby
218-546-7444
2nd & 3rd Wed: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

34212 CR 3, Crosslake
218-692-1004
Fridays 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

20948 Co. Rd. #1, Emily
218-763-3097
5:30 pm-6:30 pm, 3rd Tuesday of the month
9:30 am-11:00 am 3rd Wednesday of the month

29280 State Hwy 371, Pequot Lakes
218-568-8474
Tues. & Thurs. 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Here are some ideas to lower your food costs»

7398 Fairview Rd
218-829-5767|

Only available for Central Lakes College Students
501 West College Drive Brainerd 

9541 Madison St., Garrison
320-692-5399|
Every Tuesday 1:00 pm-5:00 pm