Mass in Motion - Springfield, MA

Mass in Motion is a statewide initiative that works to promote health and wellness and prevent overweight and obesity, with a specific focus on healthy eating and physical activity.

In 2009, Mass in Motion gave grants to ten cities in Massachusetts to work to improve policy and environmental change strategies around nutrition and physical activity to improve the health of residents.  The governing body of Springfield's Mass in Motion is the Springfield Wellness Leadership Council (SWLC), which is composed of community leaders and decision-makers.

After a city-wide assessment looking at gaps in policies around physical activity and nutrition, the SWLC decided to focus its efforts in two areas.  The first initiative works to improve the nutritional stardards of food sold in municipal vending machines.  The second is to create joint-use agreements between public schools and colleges so that the public has more safe, free spaces to be physically active.

Mass in Motion Initiative is uniquely and generously supported by:  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, the Boston Foundation, the Harvard Pilgrim Health Foundation, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the MetoWest Community HealthCare Foundation, and Tufts Plan Foundation.

• Created the Springfield Wellness Leadership Council consisting of  health professionals, community leaders, and policy decision-makers to develop and implement policy that will reduce obesity rates and help residents live healthier, longer lives.

• Initiated a resolution that was passed by the Springfield City Council to support the implementation of high nutritional standards for vending machines in schools and other municipal buildings.

• Identified gaps in free or low-cost places for residents to exercise in each Springfield neighborhood in order to establish additional services.

• Worked to create a Joint Use Agreement for use with the Parks Department, schools, community centers, and local colleges so that more residents will have access to safe, free or low-cost facilities where they can be physically active.

• Secured funding to operate two after school “Open Gyms” for the community.  The program is operated by the Parks Building and Recreation Department and provides activity at the Milton Bradley and Boland Elementary Schools.

• Worked collaboratively with the Springfield School Wellness Council on a user-friendly nutrition and activity policy to provide better food and exercise for all Springfield Public School students.