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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, September 12, 2005
Contact:
Linda Stewart,
Thurston
County
Public Health and Social Services
360-786-5581 Ext. 16944#
Spotting
Healthier Food Options becomes Easier in
Thurston
County
Olympia- Continuing efforts to encourage taking
small steps toward a healthy lifestyle, Thurston County Public Health and
Social Services is partnering with Top Food and Drug to help area shoppers
more easily spot healthier food options.
As part of a new program called, “The
Winner’s Circle,” Top Food will begin labeling food sold in their local
Marketplace Cafes on Friday, September 16, 2005.
The Winner’s Circle approach helps shoppers quickly see which menu
items are healthier by using a unique “purple star and golden fork”
symbol. Food items carrying the
program’s trademark symbol include low-fat and heart-healthy options.
All items carrying the Winner’s Circle label have undergone high
quality nutritional analysis conducted by a Registered Dietitian.
Prevention of chronic disease is a major focus of
work being supported by the Public Health and Social Services Department.
According to the Department’s Director, Sherri McDonald,
“Developing partnerships with the local business community is essential to
improving health. The progression
of some diseases can be slowed or prevented by making healthier lifestyle
choices. Working with Top Food to
make choices easier for consumers is a win-win strategy.”
The Winner’s Circle program was created by
North Carolina Prevention Partners, based in
Chapel Hill
. The program has been extremely
successful throughout
North Carolina
, where more than 1,000 restaurants and several hundred schools participate in
the healthy food-labeling program. Through
the Steps to a Healthier WA/Thurston County project, the Public Health and
Social Services Department hopes to expand the program over the next several
years.
Details about “The Winner’s Circle” and
other Steps to a Healthier WA/Thurston County projects can be found on the
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services web site at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/steps
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