Earlier this week, Louisville, Kentucky accepted a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) for the expansion of Mayor Greg Fischer’s “Healthy Hometown Movement”. Louisville is one of six cities to win the first annual USCM Childhood Obesity Prevention award announced back in January.  The awards went to cities with outstanding programs that encourage healthy weight through balanced diet choices and regular physical activity.

The Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement launched in September 2004 in response to the Mayor’s concern about the health status of Louisville residents. The award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors will support Louisville’s Youth Advocates Program, a group of 50 young people who have assessed community needs will use that information to become advocates for change as well as young entrepreneurs by creating businesses that provide fresh fruits and vegetables to their “Health in a Hurry” corner store initiative.

Check out this video highlighting some of Louisville’s health initiatives.  Congratulations to Mayor Fisher and the people of Louisville!  Keep up the good work!

This grant program is the result of a partnership between the USCM and the American Beverage Association (ABA) with the goal supporting and/or enhancing mayors’ ongoing childhood obesity prevention programs in their cities.  The partnership with USCM builds upon long-standing work by the non-alcoholic beverage industry to support nutrition education for children, strengthen communities and empower consumers. It is another public-private partnership dedicated to making a real difference.