Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities

Want to get involved with OFAHC initiatives? Email us at OFAHC@somervillema.gov for volunteer and internship opportunities.

Getting Around Somerville

Grab a Map and Get Outdoors

You don't need an expensive gym membership to stay fit in Somerville! Check out the links below for a guide to some great exercise spots in the City:

• Bicycle Routes
  • How to Bike in the City Safely
  • Bicycle Facilities Guide
• Walking Routes
• Somerville Parks
• Interactive Map: Parks & Community Gardens
• Somerville PEP Map (via the Somerville Hub)
• Somerville Public School - Home Learning and Activity Resources

More Ways to Stay Active and Have Fun

• Take part in the Mayor's Parks Pass Challenge.
• Find fun activities and learn how to book fields on the Recreation Department's website.
• Visit the Somerville Hub to learn about StoryWalk and other activities.
• The Council on Aging offers health and wellness programs for seniors.
• Hubway now has reduced-price memberships available to income-eligible residents (click here for more information).
• Visit your school’s community page on the Somerville Public School website to view safe walking or biking routes to your school.
• Check out affordable options in your community, including YMCA, Assembly, 5ks, and the Armory.

Get Involved with OFAHC

Want to get involved with OFAHC initiatives? Email us at OFAHC@somervillema.gov for volunteer and internship opportunities.

Safety and Sustainability

Read about how Somerville strives to support low carbon, safe mobility with our Vision Zero Action Plan and Climate Forward Plan.

Shape Up Somerville in the Media

• Featured in the book Feeding Cities by Christopher Bosso
• Mayor Curtatone’s Culture of Curiosity - Bloomberg Harvard - City Leadership Initiative
• Community Health and Data reports from Cambridge Health Alliance
• TuftsNow "Parents' BMI Decreases with Child Involved in School-Based, Community Obesity Intervention
• Collective Impact (3-2014)
• WBUR (7-23-2013)
• Boston Globe (7-9-2012)
• USA Today (4-12-2009)
• Urban Health Promotion Case Studies Report
• Feeding Cities: Improving Local Food Access, Security, and Resilience

OFAHC's YouTube Channel

Resources

• Somerville Hub
• Well-Being Report
• The Massachusetts Food System Collaborative
• Somerville Food Security Coalition
• Shape Up Somerville Primer
• Shape Up Under 5 (Contact shapeupunder5@somervillema.gov)
• School Wellness Policy
• Somerville Urban Agriculture Programs
• Somerville Bike Committee
• Early Childcare Advisory Committee
• City of Somerville Employee Wellness
• SomerServe
• Somerville by Design
• Sustainaville
• Community Health (via Cambridge Health Alliance)
• Sign up for the Resistat newsletter to stay informed and learn about community engagement opportunities.
• Neighboring communities doing this work: Cambridge, Everett, and Medford

Want to get involved with OFAHC initiatives? Email us at ofahc@somervillema.gov for volunteer and internship opportunities.

Do you lead exercise programming or offer nutrition lessons?

No we don't, and here's why: the Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities works to improve the environment we live in: rather than offering exercise classes, we work to make sure that everyone has access to safe active transit like well-maintained bike lanes and wide sidewalks; rather than offering nutrition lessons, we work to make sure that healthy food is affordable and accessible to all in Somerville, even if you don't have a car. However, we would be happy to connect you to places who do offer that programming! Check out our Ways to Get Going and Fresh & Local Food tabs for some of our favorite City resources.

What do you mean by Social Determinants of Health?

The WHO defines the Social Determinants of Health as "conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries". This CDC infographic highlights how root factors such as income, education, safe neighborhoods and housing impact an individual's health.

What are you currently reading to inform your work?

Glad you asked! Right now, we regularly refer to readings on the MA Food System Collaborative website as well as Food Solutions New England’s 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. Also, read our Facebook and Twitter pages for some of our past favorites with commentary. 

I’d like to learn more about the Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities or past work of Shape Up Somerville, or bring its principles to my community. How can I make that happen?

Visit the Media Coverage & Resources tab, which has all of our best background information. If you still have questions after you check out those resources, get in contact with us at the phone number or email provided above and we'll set up a time to meet.

How can I take part in OFAHC initiatives?

Email us at OFAHC@somervillema.gov.