QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On Monday, Oct. 22, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC hosted its third “Healthy Kids Summit” which took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass. More than 300 local residents, customers, families and children came together for the informative and interactive event which provided attendees with the essential information, advice and tips needed to live an overall healthier lifestyle. The Healthy Kids Summit featured guidance from community and health experts dedicated to the well-being of children, including New England Patriots Safety Patrick Chung, the Hockomock Area YMCA and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention January 2012 Adolescent and School Health report – Benefits of Healthy Eating, most children in the U.S. do not meet the recommendations for daily amounts of fruits and vegetables. Through its Healthy Kids Summits, Stop & Shop is aiming to provide children and their families with simple and valuable knowledge and necessary tools to build a healthier lifestyle and make smarter eating choices.
“Stop & Shop aims to inspire and motivate families to make healthier food choices and, as a leading grocery chain, we are in a unique position to help customers do that as they shop our stores,” said Suzi Robinson, spokesperson for Stop & Shop New England Division. “Yesterday’s Healthy Kids Summit and the information shared by our expert partners at the Hockomock YMCA, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and special guest Patrick Chung provided critical nutrition and exercise information to help parents and children make better decisions. We are extremely proud of these educational summits that are informative and fun, and are deeply committed to continue our work to help families lead a healthy lifestyle.”
The Healthy Kids Summit included a panel discussion led by community leaders and experts discussing their advice and perspectives on how the community can come together to keep kids healthy. The panel included:
- Patrick Chung, New England Patriots safety, who shared his personal advice on healthy eating for athletic success
- Ed Hurley, president of the Hockomock Area YMCA
- Julianna Valcour, RD, MEd, school nutrition policy consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Julie Menounos, MS, RD, LD-N, in-store nutritionist at the Stop & Shop Chelmsford, Mass. store, who moderated the panel
As part of the discussion, children and families participated in a short trivia game which challenged audience members to test their listening skills and showcase their brainpower on the importance of nutrition, exercise and a balanced lifestyle. The trivia was followed by an exhilarating obstacle course on the field along with a health fair sponsored by the New England Dairy Promotion Board.
“While growing up, exercise and healthy eating habits played a key role leading to the success of where I am today,” said Patrick Chung, safety for the New England Patriots. “Having the right resources and knowing what nutrients are important for your body is vital to a balanced lifestyle. Programs like the Healthy Kids Summit are a great way to share this knowledge with the community and I am thrilled to be a part of the event this year.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Stop & Shop to promote healthy living – a value shared by both organizations – in an effort to improve the quality of life for children and families. The summit is a great opportunity to discuss the importance of balance in our lives. Together, we will continue to increase awareness of the importance of physical activity and good nutrition for people of all ages,” said Ed Hurley, President Hockomock Area YMCA.
“The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has been working to make healthy eating and active living part of peoples’ everyday lives through Mass in Motion – a statewide obesity prevention initiative,” said Julianna Valcour, RD, MEd, school nutrition policy consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. “The kids and their parents all had a great time at the Healthy Kids Summit and learned some useful tips on how to eat better and move more every day.“
For more information about Stop & Shop’s health and wellness programs, visit www.stopandshop.com.
About Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC employs approximately 62,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York, and New Jersey. The company helps support local communities fight hunger, combat childhood cancer and promote general health and wellness – with emphasis on children’s educational and support programs. In its commitment to be a sustainable company, Stop & Shop is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and EPA’s Smart Way program; has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications for 50 of its existing stores; and has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores. Stop & Shop is an Ahold company. To learn more about Stop & Shop, visit www.stopandshop.com.
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