Stop & Shop, Pawtucket Red Sox hold Healthy Kids Summit
QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop hosted a Healthy Kids Summit at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. with help PawSox infielder Tony Thomas; the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket; Dr. Marjorie Nasin, director of Clinical Pediatrics & Pediatric Education at Memorial Hospital of R.I.; and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
The free event, which drew more than 300 local residents and customers, aimed to educate parents, caregivers and children about the issue of childhood obesity and how the community can come together to ensure kids lead healthy lives through staying fit, healthy eating habits and balanced lifestyles.
“As a grocery chain with close ties to New England, Stop & Shop is committed to fighting childhood obesity by encouraging small, simple changes in fitness and eating habits that make a big impact,” said Julie Menounos, nutritionist for Stop & Shop New England Division. “Today’s Healthy Kids Summit provided relevant information on nutrition; exercise and balanced lifestyles that will help families make better decisions. We’re thankful for our dedicated panelists and partners that help make these fun, inspirational and educational summits a possibility.”
The Healthy Kids Summit, emceed by WJAR’s Alison Bologna, included a panel discussion led by community leaders and experts discussing their advice and perspectives on how the community can come together to keep kids healthy. The panel included:
• Tony Thomas, Pawtucket Red Sox Infielder
• Dr. Marjorie Nasin, director of Clinical Pediatrics & Pediatric Education at Memorial Hospital of RI
• Nicollette Russell, teen member, Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket
• Andrew Schiff, CEO of the RI Community Food Bank
• Julie Menounos, MS, RD, LD-N, in-store nutritionist at the Stop & Shop Chelmsford, Mass., store (moderator)
As part of the discussion, children and families participated in a short trivia game which challenged audience members to test their listening skills and showcase their brainpower on the importance of nutrition, exercise and a balanced lifestyle. The trivia was followed by a tour of the field, a high-energy obstacle course challenge and a run by the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. Citizens Bank, a Healthy Kids Summit partner, provided tips and information on healthy finances. The event also featured a mini-health fair and light refreshments.
“At the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket, we believe in the importance of nurturing kids’ well-being through developing healthy habits at a young age,” said James R. Hoyt Jr., CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket. “Toward that end, Stop & Shop has been an incredible partner and we are pleased to be working with them on this event; it is a great opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise with the community at large.”
“The Pawtucket Red Sox are thrilled to host the Healthy Kids Summit at McCoy Stadium with our friends from Stop & Shop,” said Lou Schwechheimer, VP and GM of the Pawtucket Red Sox. “It is vital to the development and well-being of young kids of all ages to create a foundation of exercise and healthy eating habits. It is our goal to assist in building this foundation.”
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC has approximately 63,000 employees and operates more than 400 stores throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, New York and New Jersey.