FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Miriam Gaines
(334) 206-5226

Members of the community in the vicinity of Marengo House, 1000 Broad St., Lowndesboro, are invited to a corn roast at 4 p.m. on June 30. The public will be offered a few ears of corn at no charge in celebration of an initiative to promote fruit and vegetable consumption in the River Region.

The Nutrition and Physical Activity Division of the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Montgomery Wellness Coalition helped secure a grant to plant a small crop of spring sweet corn on land behind Marengo House.

A news conference will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday to start the celebration. Churches, food banks and other local representatives are invited. Then between 4 and 6 p.m. the general public is welcome to pick corn for Fourth of July meals. Grilled corn and corn recipes will be available. The following day, July 1, any unpicked corn will be donated to local food banks.

Miriam Gaines, director of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Division, said, “A successful environmental intervention, such as this garden, can enhance the community. As a community’s health improves, the quality of life will be increased. A local community garden promotes consumption of local, fresh produce. Working in the garden can also provide a physical activity venue. Both nutrition and physical activity are keys to addressing many of the health problems noted in Alabama.”

Cynthia Bisbee of the Montgomery Wellness Coalition is pleased that the fresh produce will be shared. She said, “The project was to draw awareness to the need to increase fruit and vegetable consumption as a part of healthy lifestyle.”

Ms. Gaines thanked Leslie Bailey, who lives in Marengo House where the event will be held. She said, “This is a wonderful example of how a private and public partnership can work in the community to promote health messages."

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6/29/10