In 2025, the Healthy ROOTS initiative reached significant milestones in its mission to promote resilience through food, family, and movement in 10 counties across eastern North Carolina. The Healthy ROOTS team at NC State University closely partners with NC Cooperative Extension and county-based Extension center staff in each project county to drive sustainable change. By leveraging community assets and leadership, the initiative supports measurable improvements in community health infrastructure while cultivating long-lasting partnerships. This work is a vital component of the broader Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) mission within NC State Extension, which focuses on improving the well-being of families and helping communities put research-based knowledge to work.
A Foundation of Collaborative Excellence
The Healthy ROOTS project operates through a five-year cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To ensure solutions are grounded in local needs, the team collaborates with local stakeholders, community organizations, and agencies to co-design health interventions. Additionally, the project partners with health systems and clinics to provide patient referrals for nutritional support initiatives, and works directly with early care and education programs to strengthen nutrition and physical activity standards.
2025: Expanding Access and Building Capacity
The past year saw measurable progress in increasing access to healthy foods and places to be active. In 2025, the Healthy ROOTS team facilitated the distribution of over 83,000 pounds of fresh produce. This impact was expanded through produce prescription programs and mobile market voucher systems, which provided residents with direct, affordable pathways to nutritious food.
Capacity building remained a core focus, as the team conducted 17 stakeholder and partner trainings to empower local leaders. The project’s research-driven approach also contributed to the national dialogue on public health, with 11 conference presentations and the acceptance of a peer-reviewed publication highlighting the effectiveness of these community-led strategies.
Cultivating Health from an Early Age
Healthy ROOTS continues to prioritize Early Care and Education (ECE) settings, recognizing that healthy habits are most effective when established early. A highlight of the year was the dedication of a new garden at the Mt. Olive Head Start Center in Columbus County. This space serves as both a source of fresh vegetables and an outdoor classroom for hands-on learning, directly supporting the goal of strengthening nutrition standards in childcare environments.
In alignment with the FCS commitment to youth development, the initiative also launched the Youth and Adult Partnerships (YAP) Collaborative. This joint venture between NC State and NC A&T’s 4-H and FCS programs fosters leadership by involving young people in the design and implementation of community health solutions.
Looking Toward a Sustainable Future
Through strategic coordination, the initiative secured over $175,000 in leveraged funding during 2025 to support the longevity of these programs. With the release of new resources—including county-specific resource maps and a walkability planning toolkit—the Healthy ROOTS team and NC State Extension are well-positioned to continue fostering resilient, healthy environments across North Carolina in 2026 and beyond.
