Contra Costa Health Services Invites Public to 'Fruit and Veggie Fest'

From Contra Costa Health Services:

Hundreds of shoppers are expected to celebrate Fruit and Veggie Fest, an annual event to encourage shoppers to improve their health by filling their carts with an array of colorful fruits and vegetables in all forms including fresh, frozen, dried and canned. San Pablo’s Fruit and Veggie Fest event is sponsored by Contra Costa Health Services in partnership with Mi Pueblo Food Center in Pittsburg and Food Maxx Supermarket in San Pablo.

Through Fruit and Veggie Fest in-store activities, shoppers can learn how to incorporate a rainbow of colors into meals and snacks with the addition of delicious produce. Food demonstrations will highlight easy to make meals from the Champions for Change campaign. In addition, there will be nutrition games, giveaways, physical activity demonstrations and fun activities for the kids.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 31 from 3-6 p.m. at Mi Pueblo Food Center, located at 2100 Railroad Ave., and Friday, June 3 from 3-6 p.m. at Food Maxx Supermarket, located at 13220 San Pablo Ave. in San Pablo.

California's grocers are on the front lines of the obesity epidemic, which is why the California Department of Public Health’s Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Branch (NEOPB) works with many stores statewide to reach shoppers at the point of purchase. From corner stores to supermarket chains, retail partnerships and in-store activities like Fruit and Veggie Fest are critical in the battle against the obesity epidemic, particularly among low-income Californians who are at greater risk.

Local Champions for Change will share tips and ideas to help shoppers find healthy and affordable produce options. There will also be food and physical activity demonstrations and presentation of community resources as well as prizes and giveaways.