“Let’s Move Buncombe!”  Women Elected Officials launch local public awareness campaign to raise awareness about Childhood Obesity:

Asheville, NC – Local women elected officials will be joining together for a 6-month public awareness campaign entitled “Let’s Move Buncombe!” to showcase many of the innovative solutions happening in Buncombe County that address childhood obesity. From fresh food in school cafeterias to child friendly farmers markets to preschools programs to family walking trails, these elected officials propose to get the word out to the community to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.  Each month the officials will visit and participate in a local effort that promotes healthy living and works to reverse the childhood obesity trend.

            “Let’s Move Buncombe!” was inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama national invitation to join her national “Let’s Move!” Initiative. www.letsmove.com. Let’s Move! has an ambitious goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Let’s Move! focuses on combating the epidemic of childhood obesity through a comprehensive approach which builds on effective strategies, and mobilizes public and private sector resources. .

            The “Let’s Move Buncombe!” campaign will focus on local initiatives in four arenas: helping parents make healthy choices; healthier schools; physical activity; and accessing healthy affordable schools. The campaign will occur May through October and currently has 10 women elected officials signed on. Participating elected officials to date include: NC State Representative Susan Fisher, NC State Representative Jane Whilden, Buncombe County Commissioner Holly Jones, Buncombe County Commissioner Carol Peterson, Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy, Asheville City Councilwoman Esther Manheimer, Black Mountain Vice Mayor Joan Brown, Montreat Mayor Letta Jean Taylor, Montreat Commissioner Mary McPhail Standaert, and  Eeaverville Vice Mayor Dottie Sherrill.

Holly Jones, convener of the group stated, “It was amazing how women leaders immediately responded to participating in this campaign. They each know that unless we make fundamental changes in our community and support parents and children leading a more healthy life, our obesity crisis will cripple our economy and decrease the future quality of life in our children.”

Select the link LMB May 7  for Let’s Move Buncombe’s kick-off at Emma Community Garden – May 7, 2010: 

 LMB_May 7

Have a great rest of the week and weekend!

Kristen Weaver