Public Health Foundation Joins Big Y Addressing Childhood Nutrition

HARTFORD — Big Y Foods, Inc, recently awarded the Public Health Foundation of Connecticut, Inc, a two-year, $40,000 donation and became a “Founder of the Foundation.” The donation supports the foundation’s mission to improve health in the State of Connecticut by increasing the amount of funding available to pursue public health initiatives.

Specifically, the foundation and Big Y will work together to address nutrition, healthy food choices and exercise for Connecticut’s children and families.

“All of us at Big Y are eager to work with the Public Health Foundation of Connecticut in support of their important initiatives in combating childhood obesity,” said Dan Lescoe, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Big Y. “Their work will provide a model for the entire country to follow. We are proud to be on the forefront of this effort.”

The partnership commenced with a press conference at the State Capitol in Hartford. Children from the Hopewell School were on hand to meet Connecticut Department of Public Health’s “Captain 5-A-Day” to help emphasize the importance of establishing healthy eating habits.

Lyman Orchards, a Big Y Foods partner, presented healthy food choices grown from their Connecticut-based farms.

The partnership will involve several initiatives throughout the winter that will take place at Big Y supermarkets, including the store in Newtown. These initiatives include free healthy cooking demonstrations, educational store tours, and the publication of educational materials in Big Y newsletters.

The collaboration will also utilize the tools, education, and momentum initiated by the newly released National 5 A Day Program as a basis to provide educational sessions for children and families regarding the benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

“Through this partnership we will strengthen our contribution to educating future generations to live healthier lifestyles,” said Michael J. Purcaro, executive director of the foundation. “This partnership with Big Y Foods reinforces the foundation’s premise that health promotion and disease prevention are not solely a governmental responsibility.”

The Public Health Foundation of Connecticut, Inc, is an independent, privately governed public charity organization. The foundation seeks to improve health in the State of Connecticut by increasing the amount of funding available to pursue public health initiatives as well as sponsoring sustainable and innovative projects that support health promotion and disease prevention in the state.

Though it is privately governed, the foundation collaborates with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, local health departments and other public and private organizations to assure a strong and sustained linkage between its work and the state’s public health priorities. Visit the foundation’s website for more information: www.publichealthct.org