5 Great Groups Helping People Live Healthier Lives

Making the switch to a healthier lifestyle can be incredibly challenging, especially with the seemingly overwhelming amount of information one would need to effectively do so. In no particular order, here are some organizations providing people with the knowledge to adopt better habits for their well-being.

First up, at #1, we have the World Vegetable Center. It is an international nonprofit research and development institute that carries out trainings and promotional activities to raise awareness of the role of vegetables in improved health and global poverty alleviation. As a part of its Healthy Diets program, the organization holds workshops and training courses on home garden production, and the group also develops seed kits for low-income households.

The organization's Genebank maintains the world's most extensive public vegetable germplasm collection, with thousands of accessions from several countries. Since its founding, the center has distributed thousands of seed samples to researchers in both the public and private sectors, which has led to the release of multiple varieties throughout the world, especially in developing countries.

Coming in at #2 is Green Seal. Founded in 1989, the group, known for its work in the eco-labeling movement, developed a seal to indicate when a product or service meets its standards of health and environmental leadership. Every few years, the organization reviews its benchmarks and resolves minor issues, such as updating lists of prohibited substances.

Green Seal helps companies navigate complex regulatory requirements and translate their products' ingredient lists into clear and meaningful labels using its signature Formula Facts template. Among its other offerings is the Environmental Innovation Program, designed for manufacturers who seek to engage in transformative product innovation and explore environmental and health impacts.

Taking the #3 spot is the Poe Center, which seeks to educate and empower North Carolina children and their families to make choices that increase positive health behaviors. Through its interactive lessons, visitors receive information about a variety of topics, including nutrition, dental health, family life, and substance use prevention.

The group's online programs offer a convenient option for those who cannot travel to the Poe Center or have its health educators come to their location. These are presented in real time and are available on multiple platforms; they feature interactive activities, including movement games and breakout groups.

Next, at #4, is Action for Healthy Kids, a nonprofit organization mobilizing family-school partnerships to help children learn how to be fit in both body and mind. Through its EnergizEd program, the group aims to build the capacity of schools to implement opportunities that ensure kids get the recommended sixty minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day.

The organization's NourishEd program strives to improve children's health by increasing the demand for healthy food among families, students, and schools through various means. The NourishEd model includes culturally responsive and age-appropriate experiential learning initiatives, which give students the opportunity to discover new food and learn about agriculture.

Finally, at #5, we have the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, which is dedicated to promoting optimal nutrition information through science-based education, advocacy, and research. Through its Community Leads program, it offers grants to empower individuals and organizations focused on improving access to healthy and affordable food and building sustainable and equitable systems.

In partnership with eCornell, the center's Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate program offers online video courses where students can learn about topics such as trend diets, protein consumption, and how government and industry can affect dietary choices. The group also created a guide for those who are curious about eating whole-food, plant-based meals.