Revere is Recognized by the National League of Cities as Number One in Massachusetts, and Third Nationally, in Addressing Childhood Obesity through Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties

May 9, 2013

The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized the City of Revere and the Revere Public Schools for recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, and Counties (LMCTC). LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation.

Five medals were awarded to Revere for action taken to improve access to healthy affordable food and increase opportunities for physical activity. These medals were awarded for Revere’s achievements in educating students about eating well, providing healthy school breakfasts and lunches and expanding opportunities for active play. Revere’s success would not have been possible without the joint collaboration between City and School Officials along with Revere CARES, MGH Revere Health Center, and Revere on the Move.

"Offering the best nutrition possible to our students is one of my main priorities, knowing how closely linked health and academic achievement are,” commented Revere Public Schools Superintendent Paul Dakin. “Our food service works hard to meet strict nutrition guidelines and student population preferences. By partnering with those working on community-wide strategies, we hope our efforts will also support healthy changes at home."

In addition to partnering with the schools on serving healthy food to students, the City of Revere and the Revere CARES Coalition have partnered on a number of community-wide initiatives including the City’s first Urban Trail, with a second being launched this summer; a citywide Walk to School program; Adopt a Park, where young people beautify their neighborhood parks; the Revere Beach Farmers Market that accepts SNAP and WIC; the City’s first community garden; a Healthy Corner Store Initiative, a Healthy Dining initiative; the citywide fitness challenge and an innovative mini-grant program supporting policy, systems and environmental changes in schools and neighborhoods across the Revere.

All LMCTC sites have the opportunity to earn up to five gold medals, one for each actionable goal they commit to as part of the initiative. The five goal areas are:

· Goal I: Start Early, Start Smart: Promoting best practices for nutrition, physical activity, and screen time in early care and education settings

· Goal II: My Plate, Your Place: Prominently displaying MyPlate in all municipal or county venues where food is served

· Goal III: Smart Servings for Students: Increasing participation in school breakfast and lunch programs

· Goal IV: Model Food Service: Implementing healthy and sustainable food service guidelines that are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

· Goal V: Active Kids at Play: Increasing opportunities for physical activity

The National League of Cities (NLC) is the lead collaborating partner on this initiative, working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Association of Counties, and other nonprofit organizations, in assisting local elected officials to implement policy and environmental changes to prevent childhood obesity. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded NLC a grant to provide technical assistance to local elected officials working to create healthier communities and prevent childhood obesity, including sites participating in LMCTC.

More than 280 cities, towns and counties are participating in LMCTC. Each month, NLC recognizes local elected officials who achieve key benchmarks for the five LMCTC goals. To date, NLC has awarded 829 bronze, silver, and gold medals to recognize local elected officials across the country for their progress.

“There awards are yet another example of the positive work being accomplished on a daily basis by City and School officials and dedicated community volunteers to improve the quality of life of all of our residents,” commented Mayor Rizzo.

For more information about LMCTC and Revere’s accomplishments, visit www.HealthyCommunitiesHealthyFuture.org.


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Patrick M. Keefe Jr.
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Linda DeMaio
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Claudia Correa
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Robert Marra
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