By Crystal Swann
April 16, 2012

Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski accepted a $120,000 check April 5 from The U.S. Conference of Mayors as the 1st place medium sized city winner of a 2012 Childhood Obesity Prevention Award. The press conference was held at the Destination Playground in Cedar Creek Parkway. Joining the mayor for the presentation were Pennsylvania Beverage Association President Joe Brake, Supply Chain Director of Nestle Waters North America Peter Rittenhouse; and Allentown Health Bureau Nutrition & Physical Activity Manager Tina Amato.

“It is fitting that we gather to be honored for what we are doing to prevent childhood obesity during what is National Public Health Week,” said Pawlowski. “Over the last few years, we have taken considerable strides to improve the overall health of our residents and especially our young children.”

The fruit and vegetable mobile began with a $2500 donation from Greater Lehigh Valley Independent Practice Association. Magnets were purchased with Community Development Block Grant funds to convert a city truck into the fruit and vegetable mobile. Local grocers like Elias, sold fruit and vegetables to the city at a reasonable cost. They even washed and put the produce into baskets. The fruit and vegetable mobile was loaded-up and taken to playgrounds and other sites to deliver the healthy snacks to city children.

Pawlowski said, “Our Parks and Recreation Department, our health bureau and the school district are partnering everyday on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition, and making good choices for healthier lifestyles to prevent chronic disease. We are serious about reducing childhood obesity in Allentown. I guarantee you that we are going to put this award to great use.”

According to Amato, part of the funds will be used to better equip the fruit and vegetable mobile.

The grant program was the result of a partnership between the Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Association. A total of $445,000 was awarded to six communities. ”We are pleased to be part of the effort,” said Brake. The ABA is also doing its part to provide healthy drinks to schools all across the country.”

Nestle Waters is donating bottled water to be served along with fruits and vegetables this summer.

At the conclusion of the news conference, the city’s fruit and vegetable mobile served fruit and vegetables and Nestle Water to students and pre'school students from the Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers South Mountain Center, a STAR 4 PS designated high quality center.