Last month The National League of Cities (NLC) recognized Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson 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 to ensure kids can grow up healthy. LMCTC works closely with local elected officials nationwide to adopt policies that improve access to healthy affordable food and opportunities for physical activity for their constituents across five goal areas.
“Thanks to your dedication to the health and wellness of your community, Gary is part of a nationwide movement that supports health in cities, towns and counties across the United States,” said National League of Cities President Melodee Colbert-Kean, councilmember and former mayor, Joplin, Mo. “By improving access to healthy foods and creating opportunities for physical fitness, you are helping to create a healthier future for our nation’s children.”
Two medals were awarded to Gary for action taken to improve access to healthy affordable food and increasing opportunities for physical activity. These medals were awarded because of Gary’s achievements in reaching Goal 1.
All LMCTC sites have the opportunity to earn up to five gold medals, one for each actionable goal to which they commit to as part of the initiative. Medals are awarded to local elected officials based on their achievements in each of the following five goal areas:
- 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: Expanding access to meal programs before, during and after the school day, and/or over summer months.
- 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.
NLC is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Association of Counties and other nonprofit organizations, to assist local elected officials who join LMCTC as they 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 those participating in LMCTC.
