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The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA Kicks off the Lunchbox Challenge at Healthy U Day

October 26, 2018

For more information contact:
Madison Area YMCA 
Marketing & Communications Department  
smcevoy@madisonymca.org

For Immediate Release 

The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA Kicks off the Lunchbox Challenge at Healthy U Day 

Caption #1: F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA Head Chef Mike Andersen lays out healthy food choices for a preschool class at the Lunchbox Challenge during Healthy U Day activities.

Healthy U Day 2018 #1 

Caption #2: F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA Kirby preschool class with Lead Teacher Jill Corea and Kirby Head Chef Mike Andersen after a successful creation of healthy lunches during the Lunch Box Challenge at Healthy U Day.

Healthy U Day 2018 #2 

(Madison, NJ) – October 26, 2018– The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA kicked off the Lunchbox Challenge, joining YMCAs throughout New Jersey in celebrating the annual Healthy U Fall kickoff on October 25.  

The students participated in the Lunchbox Challenge where they created lunches using healthy items. This gave them the opportunity to learn and practice making healthy eating choices.  

Healthy U’s goal is to promote healthy behavior and to prevent childhood obesity through more physical activity, family involvement and nutrition education. In New Jersey, one out of every three school age children is either overweight or obese putting them at risk of developing serious health problems later in life. In Healthy U research, participating children and families report that they are eating more fruits and vegetables, and consuming fewer processed and sugary foods. They are also spending more time being physically active and less time in front of screens. 

The Healthy U program is the result of a collaboration between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. Since Healthy U’s inception in 2008, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has invested more than $4.7 million to sustain the program through 2019.  

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.   

About Healthy U 
The Healthy U program is the result of a collaborative partnership between The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey and the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance. Healthy U has impacted more than 96,000 children ages 3 to 14 at 480 YMCA preschool/after school sites and at 90 partner schools statewide.  The YMCAs and partnering schools are implementing environmental strategies and activities, and education to increase physical activity and promote good nutrition for students and their families.  Since its inception in 2007, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has invested $4.7 million to develop and sustain the program through 2019. For more information, please visit www.njymca.org/main/healthy-u.

About The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to working alongside those who can help us improve our neighbors’ health, inform their health decisions and inspire them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. The Foundation’s funding pillars are Caring, Connecting and Creating. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is the sole member of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, both of which are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information please visit www.Community.HorizonBlue.com.    

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