Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson and Tricycle Gardens invite the Richmond East End 7th Voter District and Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District communities to ribbon cutting ceremonies for two new participants in the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program

Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 10 June 2014

Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson and Tricycle Gardens invite the Richmond East End 7th Voter District and Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District communities to ribbon cutting ceremonies for two new participants in the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program

Virginia Governor’s Executive Mansion Executive Chef, Chris Blain, to demonstrate healthy cooking tips and techniques  

WHAT         (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7th Voter District, The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, and Tricycle Gardens invite residents of the Richmond East End 7th Voter District and Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District communities to attend the ribbon cutting ceremonies for two new participants in the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program being implemented in Richmond.

                              These events are free and open to the public and residents of the Richmond East End 7th Voter District and Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District communities are invited and encouraged to attend.

                              During the event, Virginia Governor’s Executive Mansion Executive Chef, Chris Blain; Youth Health Equity Leadership Institute members; and, Neighborhood Resource Center Food Landscape students will demonstrate healthy cooking tips and techniques in the Bon Secours Health System “Class-A-Roll” Mobile Kitchen.

                             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. As a participating healthy corner store, storeowners commit to offering fresh, local produce grown by Tricycle Gardens and other local farmers, as well as providing in-store tastings and food skills education programming.
                       
                             Richmond's "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program is being modeled after "Healthy Corner Stores" initiatives being developed around the country that are 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.

                             Successes and updated plans for the "Get Fresh East End! Healthy Corner Store" program will be discussed at the events. Also included in the programs are plans for ongoing healthy food outreach education projects, cooking demonstrations and food tastings.

                             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/WHERE        Friday, June 20, 2014
·         11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
     Song’s Market
1400 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, Virginia 23223

·         2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
     Fine Foods
      4904 Government Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231

WHO          The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman
                  Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7th Voter District

                       The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman
                       Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District

                       Tricycle Gardens

CONTACT   For more information, please contact Sam Patterson, Liaison for The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7th Voter District, at 804.646.3012 (tel), or sam.patterson@richmondgov.com (email).
                       and/or
                       The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, at 804.646.5348 (tel), or ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)
                       and/or
                       Ms. Claire Sadeghzadeh, Program Coordinator, Tricycle Gardens, at 804.231.7767 (tel); claire@tricyclegardens.org (email)
 
                      

- E N D -


Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
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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.