FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:
Tanikka Cunningham (888)415-2667x702 tcunningham@healthysolutionsgroup.org
Michael Harris 916-997-2451 blackagriculture@yahoo.com


SUMMER HARVEST FESTIVAL
Let's Move! Our Future, Our Food, and Our Health."


Washington, DC (June 28, 2010): Healthy Solutions, Washington Parks and People Riverside Center, and community members will celebrate its first “Summer Harvest Festival”. This will be the first event of this kind East of the River where obesity, chronic diseases, and poverty are the highest in the city. The event will focus on healthy eating, nutrition, exercise, food and agriculture, while raising awareness of food deserts in DC.


"Our Community needs more resources that teach and help our community members build upon helping themselves live healthier lives. We look for this festival to be the stepping stone to empowering our communities to do so" says Tanikka Cunningham, Executive Director of Healthy Solutions.


The basic idea of this festival is to "give practical and hands on tools that will help community members live healthier lives now, while celebrating the history of food in the African American Community" says Cunningham.

The Summer Harvest Festival theme this year will be "Let's Move! Our Future, Our Food, and Our Health. The Summer Harvest Festival will feature:


•A George Washington Carver Celebration,
•Farmer’s Market,
•Let's Move! Toolkit education for Community and Faith Based Organization,
•Walking trail that will feature health and nutrition tips along the way,
•Health screenings,
•Cooking demos,
•Food tastings
•the "Ultimate Salad Competition" for kids and
•other exciting activities all associated with eating healthy and exercise.


The USDA and Health and Human Services are confirmed participants in the event as well as various local and national organizations. The Festival will feature The Ultimate Salad Competition with the flow like an "Iron Chef" competition for groups of youth, who will build what they think is the Ultimate Salad from all fresh fruits and vegetables. The Ultimate Salad Competition will have several judges including the Deputy Director in the Center for Partnerships with Health and Human Services.


What: Summer Harvest Festival
When: July 10, 2010 11am-4pm
Where: Washington Parks and People Riverside Center / Marvin Gaye Park located at 5200 Foote Street NE Washington DC 20032.
Cost: Free- Everyone is invited


For more information about the Summer Harvest Festival call 888-415-2667 or visit: www.summerharvestfestival.com


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Healthy Solutions, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization working to enhance the lives of the underserved, underprivileged, and/or marginalized and to help them make informed decisions. Healthy Solutions vision is to create equitable communities by creating community based food systems allowing all community members 1) access to healthy affordable foods, 2) quality jobs through agriculture, and 3) education and training on nutrition and exercise. www.healthysolutionsgroup.org


Washington Parks and People- Riverside Center / Marvin Gaye Park is a DC based nonprofit organization leading greening initiatives across the city. Riverside hosts park planning and revitalization of all kinds, as well as frequent community forums, volunteer work days, youth mentoring of all kinds, dance classes, healthy cooking classes, youth bike safety and repair, arts and cultural exhibitions, heritage tours and story-telling, seasonal celebrations, job training, and the popular weekly farm market. www.washingtonparks.net

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