News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dee Inthamat Director of Media Relations (312) 555-1234 deawbby@hotmail.com Columbia College students are having a healthy barbeque party.
CHICAGO- Students United for Healthy Eating is hosting its first barbeque party on Saturday at Mary Richardson Jones Park in Chicago's Near South Side neighborhood. They are not partying this time, but encouraged by Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' program to encourage healthy eating and focus on the problem of food deserts. The campaign also hopes to inspire other organizations to create similar programs in their areas and to get more large grocery stores that sell healthy food to open in areas of the city considered to be food deserts. The Healthy Eating Campaign is partnering with Peapod, an online grocery shopping and delivery service and Weber Grills, a unique and exciting restaurant featuring and open kitchen who have provided healthy fresh foods and supplies for the barbeque. Food served included grilled zucchini, squash, asparagus, peppers, and mushrooms; eco-friendly tilapia and Asian sea bass; chicken breasts and turkey burgers, plus a selection of grilled and uncooked pineapple slices, pears and peaches. "I hope this barbeque party will attract other businesses to help local neighborhoods that are considered as a food desert zone," said Brubaker. -more-
FOOD DESERT - page 2 Food deserts are usually low-income urban areas that don't have access to fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy foods but do have lots of convenience stores and fast food restaurants. The residents in these areas consume more "junk food" because healthy foods are either too expensive or hard to find without traveling long distances. The residents of food deserts tend to suffer worse diet-related health outcomes. Mary-Jo Sawyer, a registered dietitian at VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA said, "People who don't have access to fresh fruits and vegetables at grocery stores tend to purchase the least-expensive items at smaller markets, which are typically high in fat and sodium- like hot dogs. These choices can lead to obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease." "Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' program inspired us to create the Healthy Eating campaign," said Brubaker. ‘Let's Move’ a nationwide initiative to promote making healthy choices, improving food quality in schools, increasing access to healthy, affordable food, and increasing physical activity. "I hope this barbeque party will inspire other college's organizations to create similar event," said Brubaker. The campaign believed the event was a successful project to help the community start eating healthy. Student United for Healthy Eating is an organization that promotes the benefits of healthy diet- including fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and lean meats rather than relying too much on processed and fast food. For further information, visit www.colum.edu/health eating. ###