Cleveland's Kids' Meals Week of Advocacy kicked off on May 26th as dozens of advocates gathered to learn more about efforts to make eating healthier when eating out easier for Cleveland families.
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thumbnail_alt_text===week of advocacy group photo
The four-day event began with a pep rally and training where we shared more about efforts to reduce sugary drink consumption by ensuring the beverage options in kids' meals are "healthy by default." After the Zoom event, participants were asked to leave a message for their council member to support an ordinance that would make water, low-fat milk or 100% juice the automatic drink option in Cleveland restaurant kids' meals. Week of Advocacy Day 2 was "Thank Your Favorite Restaurant Day," where advocates were asked to tag their favorite restaurant on social media with photo and message of appreciation for serving healthy meals.
Participants were given a "menu" of advocacy options on Day 3 that included emailing or tweeting members of Council, as well as the opportunity to use an easy online tool to write a letter-to-the-editor. We wrapped the week up on Friday with a lunchtime family Happy Half-Hour, where we regrouped to gather any feedback from council members, shared successes from the week, enjoyed artwork from our youngest advocates and took a fun Zoom group photo.
If you live in Cleveland and missed our Week of Advocacy, it's not too late and we still need your voice! Here are just a few of the ways you can still speak out:
- Easily tweet (or email, if you don't have Twitter) your Cleveland City Councilmember urging their support for a healthy kids' meals policy.
- Take this opportunity to answer a few short questions that will create a letter-to-the-editor in support of Healthy Kids Meals. We'll take care of the rest!
- If you haven't made your call yet, it's not too late to be patched through to leave a message for your Councilmember urging their support for a healthier drinks in kids' meals.
Thanks to all our amazing advocates who joined us for a fun, productive week! Stay tuned!
James Meerdink, Cresha Auck and Melissa Brown
Your Cleveland AHA Advocacy Team
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