Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille invites all to ribbon cutting launch of the latest participant in the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED Wednesday, 23 October 2013 Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille invites all to ribbon cutting launch of the latest participant in the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program Quick Mart to be newest participant in program WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) -- The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th Voter District, invites the entire community to attend the ribbon cutting launch of the latest "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program participant in Richmond. This event is free and open to the public and the entire community is invited and encouraged to attend. The Quick Mart, located at 1621 Williamsburg Road in Richmond's Greater Fulton Neighborhood, will be the site of the newest Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store program, and is the second convenience store this year take part in the new initiative being implemented in the Richmond East End 7th Voter District. On July 18, 2013, the Clay Street Market, located at 501 N. 30th Street, became the first participant location. Plans for implementation of the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program at the Quick Mart; such as increasing the types and amounts of fresh, locally grown, fruits and vegetables they sell, will be discussed during the event. Festivities will include free food tastings, cooking demonstrations, and information on healthy eating. They will also include free flu shots, courtesy of Walgreens and the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Richmond Health District. Born out of public-private partnerships with state and local elected officials, government departments, organizations, individuals and businesses; the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program is being overseen by Tricycle Gardens, a local Richmond nonprofit organization committed to helping grow healthy food, healthy communities and healthy local food systems. Richmond's "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program is being modeled after "Healthy Corner Stores" initiatives that are being developed around the country aimed at helping to increase the health and wellness of communities. While there is no standard definition of what constitutes a "Healthy Corner Store," the initiative hopes to increase the sale and access to healthy foods. Studies show that communities without large food supermarkets located in them are also those whose populations have increased rates of health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Often referred to as "food deserts," these areas are being targeted in hopes that increasing access to healthy foods and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices may help to lessen risks and improve the health of families. WHEN Thursday, October 24, 2013 Noon - 1:30 p.m. WHERE Quick Mart 1621 Williamsburg Road Richmond, Virginia 23221 (In the Richmond East End 7th Voter District) WHO The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th Voter District CONTACT For more information, please contact Sam Patterson, Council Liaison for the The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, East End 7th Voter District, at 804.646.3012 (tel), or sam.patterson@richmondgov.com (email). or Ms. Claire Sadeghzadeth, at 804.231.7767 (tel); or claire@tricyclegardens.org (email) - E N D - ______________________________________ Steven R. Skinner, APR Council Public Information Manager Office of the Chief of Staff RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL Richmond City Hall 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 Richmond, Virginia 23219 804.646.6052 (office) 804.335.4054 (mobile) 804.937.1386 (home/mobile) 804.646.5468 (fax) skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email) www.council.richmondva.gov(website) ______________________________________ MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget. VISION Richmond City Council is committed to creating a vibrant community that is a great place to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.