For immediate release: October 22, 2004 (04-124)

Contacts:
Monica Dixon, Nutrition and Physical Activity Program 360-790-0517
Deanna Whitman, Communications Office 360-236-4022

OLYMPIA ¾ Washington state is among the nation's worst when it comes to the rate of hunger. Many of the state’s residents may lack access to healthy foods. In an effort to combat this situation, Washington State Department of Health staff and other members of the Access to Healthy Food Coalition and the Northwest are partnering to collect and send 12,000 pounds of apples to food banks around the state on October 22.

"Hunger and lack of access to healthy foods is a major problem in our state and can lead to serious health problems," said Nutrition Consultant Dr. Monica Dixon. "We are working to increase access to healthy foods and help make Washington a healthier place to live."

The coalition will meet in Yakima October 21-22. As a part of their meeting, they will be collecting and distributing apples, donated by local farmers, to food banks across the state. They will also discuss future activities that will create better access to healthy food for Washington residents.

The Access to Healthy Foods Coalition is a diverse statewide group representing government, industry, non-profits, healthcare and the military. The coalition helps create programs to identify healthier choices in restaurants and vending machines, get food to the hungry and develop healthy worksite and school food choices.

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