RALI, Blueprint For Health Hold Premiere Of Video Series

By Betsy Finklea
RALI (Rural Area Leadership Initiative)-Dillon County and Blueprint For Health held the premiere of their video series, “Eating Healthy On A Budget,” at an event at Twin Lakes Country Club on Monday.
Guests enjoyed sampling an array of foods from Farmers Market vendors as well as certified South Carolina products. Some of the foods included sandwiches made with local beef, vegetables, fruit, chicken, cheese, crackers, pimento cheese, deviled eggs, small desserts, and more.

Celeste Campbell, chairman of the RALI-Dillon County board, said RALI “is very invested in the community.” She recognized the S.C. Office of Rural Health representatives who were in attendance.
Pat Laird of RALI said they are working in the community to help people improve their health and make healthy decisions.
She said DCHI (Dillon County Health Initiative) is a spin-off group from RALI. They give out free plants to the community for gardens. They also sponsor the pop-up Farmers markets. There are six farmers markets scheduled for this year on the second Monday of the month from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the South Plaza in downtown Dillon across from First Bank. The dates are May 13th, June 10th, July 8th, August 12th, September 9th, and October 14th. The Farmers Markets feature local vendors, live entertainment, and themed activities.
Laird said they are working to get a permanent cover space for a farmers market.
Laird recognized the DCHI representatives for each area: Dillon-Bertha Casey, Lake View-Tabitha James, and Latta-Charles Carmichael. She also recognized Johnnie Luehrs of the Dillon County Chamber of Commerce.

She said some of the foods served came from W.K. Price Farms, Perdue, Happy Cow cheese of Pelzer, and Jim Allen/Uncle Jim’s Honey. She also recognized Lois Bright.
Laird spoke about the DVD project that they did with SC DHEC called “Eating Healthy On A Budget.” Segments were filmed at KJ’s IGA in Dillon, Latta IGA, Market on Main in Lake View, and Abingdon Manor in Latta. Megan Puryear, a registered dietitian, and Triza Cox hosted the segments at the grocery stores. Chef Patty Griffey of Abingdon Manor did the cooking segments. The recipes she prepared were healthy, low-cost dishes.
Copies of the video may be downloaded from the RALI website, www.rali-dchi.com, or may be obtained by e-mailing rali.dchi@ gmail.com. It is the perfect video to show for club programs, church programs, and other places where they may be an interest in healthy eating.