Neepawa Eats Healthy: Promoting Community Wellness Through Food

NACTV volunteer host Amanda Naughton-Gale recently sat down with Sherill-Lee Hyra and Glenda MacPhee, representatives from the Neepawa Eats Healthy Committee. This dedicated group, composed of local organizations and community members, is committed to encouraging healthier eating habits within the community.

The Beginnings of Neepawa Eats Healthy

Hyra shared insights into the committee’s origins, explaining how it emerged from a shared interest in promoting healthy eating. "When we think back to our start, it was way back in 2019 when a group of interested partners began discussing how we could collaborate to encourage healthy eating in Neepawa. We had a couple of university students with us at the time who were passionate about community development. They helped organize a large partner meeting, where we explored what other rural communities were doing in terms of healthy eating initiatives. From there, we gained interest from several local partners."

The Community Partners of Neepawa Eats Healthy

The Neepawa Eats Healthy Committee brings together a range of organizations and stakeholders, including:

• The Neepawa Salvation Army

• Town of Neepawa Recreation Director

• Prairie Mountain Health Dieticians

• Neepawa & Area Settlement Services

• Girl Guides

• HyLife

• Community representative Glenda MacPhee

Previous Community Projects

One of the committee’s standout projects last year was Cooking with the Stars, which became a local favorite. "It was a really fun project where we invited a variety of local celebrities to compete in a cooking challenge. They battled against each other, and the winners were awarded a golden spoon! We also had celebrity judges from the community taste and evaluate the meals," Hyra explained.

The event emphasized the importance of healthy eating while addressing the financial challenges of grocery shopping. "We focused on easy, quick, and nutritious meals that could be prepared in under 30 minutes," she added.

Another notable initiative was a partnership with the local middle school. The committee introduced students to the Meal in 30 project, where they tested and prepared recipes designed to be both healthy and budget-friendly. One Grade 7 class had the opportunity to prepare a meal themselves, guided by their teacher and members of the Neepawa Eats Healthy Committee.

As part of the Meal in 30 project, the committee partnered with local grocery stores to display monthly featured recipes, encouraging residents to try out affordable, nutritious meals.

Future Plans for Neepawa Eats Healthy

Looking ahead, the committee plans to continue Cooking with the Stars but with a new twist. "This year, we’re focusing on Moms in the Kitchen—mothers and their kids cooking together to prepare after-school snacks," said Hyra. "We want to encourage families to cook at home and make healthy choices together."

Another exciting addition is a mystery box competition in collaboration with the Salvation Army. "This will be a lot of fun! We’re going to use basic pantry staples—common shelf items that most people already have at home. The participating chefs will have to create a meal from scratch, without a recipe. There will be judging involved, and it should make for an entertaining and educational experience."

With an ongoing commitment to health and community engagement, Neepawa Eats Healthy continues to be a driving force in promoting accessible and nutritious food choices for all residents.