Shaw's Supermarkets Partners with Boston Moves for Health and Fuel Up to Play 60 to Launch "Workout Wednesdays"

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Shaw’s and Star Market, Boston Moves for Health and the Fuel Up to Play 60 program today announced they are teaming up with Boston Public Schools to support kid’s health through the creation of “Workout Wednesdays,” an integrated health and fitness program. Beginning October 10, and throughout the month, Shaw’s will host a Boston Public School class at one of its stores each Wednesday. The program was developed in support of Boston Moves for Health, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s ambitious initiative to improve the health and fitness of the city.

“Boston Moves for Health is all about inspiring lots of little changes in people’s lifestyles that add up to better health for individuals and our city as a whole”

“Boston Moves for Health is all about inspiring lots of little changes in people’s lifestyles that add up to better health for individuals and our city as a whole,” said Mayor Menino. “We’re grateful to have partners like Shaw’s and Fuel Up to Play 60 that understand that we all have a responsibility to do everything we can to make sure today’s youth grow up to be healthy adults, and I’m excited that this partnership will take our efforts to the next level.”

“Supporting health and wellness initiatives is important to us at Shaw’s and Star Market,” said Mike Stigers, president, Shaw’s. “We are excited to be able to join with Mayor Menino on this program to help educate kids on how to be active and eat healthy.”

“Fuel Up to Play 60 has helped students in more than 1,600 schools in Massachusetts implement life-long healthy eating and physical activity habits in a way that is making a big difference,” said Lisa Burnett, RD, LDN, SNS and Director of Nutrition & School Programs for New England Dairy & Food Council. “Collaborative efforts like this one are vital for improving childhood health, and we are excited about teaming up with Shaw’s and Boston Moves for Health on this great initiative.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese.¹ Overweight and obesity has both negative short term and long term effects on kids. But healthy lifestyle habits, including staying active and eating nutrient-dense foods such as low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains can lower the risk of overweight and obesity and their related risks and diseases. ²

Each “Workout Wednesday” will begin with students participating in an outdoor physical activity led by local fitness experts from the Boston-based fitness studio Body By Brandy 4 Kidz, followed by a healthy eater store tour with Jennifer Shea Rawn, Shaw’s Registered Dietitian and health and nutrition expert. During the tour, the kids will receive a reusable Healthy Eaters™ Free Fruit Card. The Healthy Eaters™ card is designed for children 5-12 years old, and can be used each time a child shops with his/her parents at a Shaw’s location. The event will conclude with a make-your-own yogurt parfait bar and the kids will receive a goodie bag full of healthy treats from Shaw’s and Fuel Up to Play 60.

“It’s very important for kids to develop healthy eating habits now, so they can carry them into adulthood,” said Shea Rawn. “The ‘Workout Wednesday’ program was designed to inspire the kids in our communities to try new delicious and healthy foods and engage in fun fitness activities to help instill lifelong healthy lifestyle habits.”

The October scheduled events are as follows:

Wednesday October 10^th from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Shaw’s Hyde Park with Rogers Middle School
- 1377 Hyde Park Avenue
  Hyde Park, MA 02136
Wednesday October 17^th from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Shaw’s Dorchester Burger with Russell Elementary School
- 4 River Street
  Mattapan, MA 02126
Wednesday October 24^th Food Day from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.: Shaw’s Morrissey Blvd with Dever/McCormack School
- 45 Morrissey Blvd
  Dorchester, MA 02124
Wednesday October 31^st Halloween from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m.: Shaw’s West Roxbury with Beethoven Elementary School
- 75 Spring Street
  West Roxbury, MA

To learn more about kids health and healthy eating at Shaw’s, visit Shaw’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/shaws or visit www.shaws.com. To learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60, visit www.FuelUptoPlay60.com. To learn more about Boston Moves for Health and to take part in the Mayor's challenge to move 10 million miles together, visit www.BostonMovesForHealth.org.

¹ http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
² http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm