Ring in the New Year with the Fruit of the Broome at First Night Binghamton

BINGHAMTON, NY - On Saturday, December 31, visit United Health Services’ First Night venue at the Broome County Forum beginning at 5:00 p.m. and meet Barry Banana, Suzie Strawberry, Gordy Grape, Cathy Corn and Carl Carrot! The Fruit of the Broome are made possible by the Broome County Health Department and the Steps to a HealthierNY initiative. One of the programs supported by the Steps to a HealthierNY initiative is the Give Me 5 campaign that promotes eating five or more fruits and vegetables a day for better health. “Since United Health Services has ‘adopted’ Cosmo B. Healthy, it is important to remind kids (and adults) of all ages to make sure that they eat a variety of five or more servings of fruits and vegetables every day,” explains Mary McFadden, Supervising Public Health Educator for the Broome County Health Department.

Scientific findings continue to support the importance of eating a colorful array of fruits and vegetables each day because they can reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, certain types of cancer and other diseases. Although eating more fruits and vegetables is a relatively simple lifestyle change that could have a profound impact on the nation's health, approximately 70 percent of American adults and children are still not eating enough.

All First Night participants are encouraged to visit The Forum and make a Healthy New Year’s Resolution to eat more fruits and vegetables. “It’s a small change that has the potential to make a big difference in your health, the health of our nation, and the cost of healthcare,” says McFadden.

Steps to a HealthierNY – Broome County is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of Steps to a HealthierUS, a national program focusing on the prevention of diabetes, obesity and asthma and the control of risk factors including poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use and exposure. For more information about the Steps to a HealthierNY - Broome County, please visit www.broomesteps.org or call 607.778.3929.

Steps to a HealthierUS is a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative advancing the HealthierUS goal to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives. This initiative will reduce the burden of chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity and asthma and the control of risk factors including poor nutrition, physical inactivity and tobacco use and exposure through funding of community-based interventions. www.healthierus.gov/steps

CONTACT:
Ann Lomonaco, Public Health Educator
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3067
email: alomonaco@co.broome.ny.us

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