The First Lady announced that 500 cities, towns and counties, <\/b>including Allentown, <\/b>have committed to the <\/span>five goals<\/span><\/a><\/span> in the LMCTC initiative since July 2012.\u00a0 LMCTC is a key part of the First Lady\u2019s Let\u2019s Move!<\/i> Initiative, and helps local elected officials, their staff and communities ensure all children grow up healthy and have the ability to reach their full potential.\u00a0 NLC works in partnership with Let\u2019s Move!<\/i> and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide assistance to local elected officials.<\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n Allentown<\/span> is part of a growing national movement to build healthier communities and ensure that the health and well-being of young people today and that of future generations is a priority.\u00a0 Allentown\u2019s \u201cFruits and Veggies on the Move\u201d program, a truck that brings free fruits and vegetables to Department of Parks & Recreation playground and recreation sites, has served an estimated 10,000 children and adults since its inception in July 2011.<\/span>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe effort to bring fruits and vegetables to Allentown children has been an unqualified success,\u201d said Pawlowski.\u00a0 \u201cLocal grocery store chains and produce growers have partnered with us to fill weekly orders for washed and prepared produce for the truck.\u00a0 Our kids are eating healthier.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n At today\u2019s event, the First Lady also recognized the 52 <\/span>communities<\/a><\/span>, including Allentown <\/span>that have achieved gold medals in each of the five goal areas, which include providing healthy school meals, opportunities for physical activity during and outside of school, and healthier early care and education programs.<\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis groundbreaking milestone of reaching 500 communities brings us closer to the goal of providing every American with the opportunity to live in a community that prioritizes the health and well-being of their residents,\u201d said National League of Cities President Ralph Becker, mayor, Salt Lake City, Utah. \u201cThese local policymakers, representing small and large communities from across the country, are transforming their communities into healthier places.\u201d<\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The 500 cities, towns and counties honored at today\u2019s event come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. <\/span>To date, approximately 80 million Americans live in a city, town or county participating in LMCTC.<\/span>\u00a0<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n For more information on the achievements by LMCTC communities, visit www. NLC works in partnership with Let\u2019s Move!<\/i> and HHS, with support from USDA, the National Association of Counties and other nonprofit organizations, to provide assistance to local elected officials as they implement policy and program changes to <\/span>improve access to healthy, affordable food and provide opportunities for physical activity for all children. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provides generous support to NLC to provide technical assistance to local elected officials working to create healthier communities and prevent childhood obesity, including those participating in LMCTC.<\/u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided by:<\/p>\n Mike Moore <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nCommunications Manager
\nMayor’s Office
\n435 Hamilton Street
\nAllentown, PA 18101
\nMike.Moore@allentownpa.gov
\nhttp:\/\/www.AllentownPA.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
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