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Soda companies chip in on Lima's health program
February 15, 2012 7:01 PM
LIMA — The city has an unexpected partner in the battle against obesity.
Lima Mayor David Berger accepted a $100,000 check Wednesday from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in support of a planned program to get healthy food out to neighborhoods that otherwise have no access to it. The grant money actually comes from the American Beverage Association, the organization representing the nation's soft drink industry.
The grant will help fund an effort to create “healthy living hubs” intended to combat childhood obesity. The Lima Family YMCA is leading the effort with a long list of partners that includes the city of Lima, both local hospitals and other local businesses and nonprofits. The ABA and its state agency, the Ohio Soft Drink Association, plan to join the effort. The $100,000 is the first step, but their involvement may go further.
“We had a discussion today, detailed our plans for them and they were very receptive. They do plan to be involved in some way at the local level,” Berger said.
The industry has good reasons to be included in the local effort. It employs about 7,500 employees across the state and contributes more than $6 billion to Ohio's economy, said Kimberly McConville, executive director of the Ohio Soft Drink Association. Locally, they employ 283 people with a total payroll of $10.7 million through bottling and distribution of products that include Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola and 7-Up.
“At the end of the day, we are your neighbors. We're thrilled to be part of the conversation,” McConville said.
The Healthy Living Hubs will be set up in several low-income neighborhoods around the city that are considered food deserts, meaning residents there have little or no access to groceries or other sources of fresh, healthy foods. The plan includes converting an RTA bus into a mobile fruit and vegetable stand that will take healthy food and information around. Ultimately, they hope to also provide fitness and nutrition classes and other health information.
YMCA President Jerry Courtney said he hopes to have the program up and running by September.
Lima Mayor David Berger accepted a $100,000 check Wednesday from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in support of a planned program to get healthy food out to neighborhoods that otherwise have no access to it. The grant money actually comes from the American Beverage Association, the organization representing the nation's soft drink industry.
The grant will help fund an effort to create “healthy living hubs” intended to combat childhood obesity. The Lima Family YMCA is leading the effort with a long list of partners that includes the city of Lima, both local hospitals and other local businesses and nonprofits. The ABA and its state agency, the Ohio Soft Drink Association, plan to join the effort. The $100,000 is the first step, but their involvement may go further.
“We had a discussion today, detailed our plans for them and they were very receptive. They do plan to be involved in some way at the local level,” Berger said.
The industry has good reasons to be included in the local effort. It employs about 7,500 employees across the state and contributes more than $6 billion to Ohio's economy, said Kimberly McConville, executive director of the Ohio Soft Drink Association. Locally, they employ 283 people with a total payroll of $10.7 million through bottling and distribution of products that include Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola and 7-Up.
“At the end of the day, we are your neighbors. We're thrilled to be part of the conversation,” McConville said.
The Healthy Living Hubs will be set up in several low-income neighborhoods around the city that are considered food deserts, meaning residents there have little or no access to groceries or other sources of fresh, healthy foods. The plan includes converting an RTA bus into a mobile fruit and vegetable stand that will take healthy food and information around. Ultimately, they hope to also provide fitness and nutrition classes and other health information.
YMCA President Jerry Courtney said he hopes to have the program up and running by September.
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