Carver County Health Partnership

Eat. Talk. Connect!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Eat. Talk. Connect!?

A: Eat. Talk. Connect! is an 2-year multi-faceted initiative spearheaded by the Carver County Health Partnership to increase connectedness within families and communities. Eat. Talk. Connect! began off in September 2005 and involves schools, churches, workplaces and residents of all ages.

Q: Why are connections important?

A: New research confirms what we’ve always known intuitively. Connections to family and community are as important to our mental health and well-being as food is to our physical health.

Q: What is the Eat. Talk. Connect! Challenge?

A: The Eat. Talk. Connect! Challenge encourages families to eat at least three meals together each week for three months--without the distraction of T.V. Eating meals together is one of the best ways to build family connectedness. Families who eat together have the opportunity to build relationships through listening and talking.

Q: What is the Carver County Health Partnership (CCHP)?

A: The CCHP is a collaborative effort of local businesses, nonprofits, community groups, concerned citizens, government agencies, and churches working together to make Carver County, Minnesota, a healthy place to live and work.

CCHP is composed of four action teams: Children’s Mental Health Action Team; Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Action Team; Workplace Wellness Action Team; and the Senior Commission.

CCHP grew out of a commitment between Ridgeview Medical Center and Carver County Public Health with the intent of bringing key people and organizations together to solve health issues. Click here for more information.

Q: How does eating meals together increase family connections?

A: Family mealtimes are one of the best ways to build family connections. Research shows that children who eat at least three meals together with their families benefit in the following ways:

They are 40-50% less likely to smoke, use drugs or alcohol, or engage in sexual activity.
They have greater academic success -- 40-50% of children eating regularly with their families have an A or B average.
They eat more nutritionally and have fewer problems such as obesity, anorexia or bulimia.
They experience less stress and are significantly less likely to be depressed.

Q: How is the initiative funded?

A: Financial support is provided by:

Financial support is provided by the Park Nicollet Foundation, Lakeview Clinic, Carver County Public Health, The Community Foundation for Carver County, Mackenthun’s Country Market, Lund Food Holdings / Byerly’s, Klein Bank, the physicians of Ridgeview Medical Center and its affiliated clinics, and many local organizations and businesses. Eat. Talk. Connect! is nonpartisan and nonsectarian, supporting families and residents of all beliefs and backgrounds.

Q: How can I get more information on Eat. Talk. Connect! or get involved?

A: Please call Renee Wixon at 763-543-1878 or EatTalkCONNECT@aol.com.

EAT. TALK. CONNECT! Community Celebration Sponsors:

CONNECT! SPONSORS:

www.ridgeviewmedical.org