Chicago Food Day Is Time To ‘Eat Real’

CHICAGO - Oct. 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Since 1980, the percentage of American children aged 6 to 19 who are obese has tripled, while the percentage of adults who are obese has doubled In Chicago there have been positive signs in recent years as obesity rates among young children are on the decline; however, young children still have considerably higher obesity rates than low-income children of a similar age in the U.S. and Illinois. Nationally, Food Day (http://www.foodday.org/) is a movement to inspire Americans to change their diets and our food policies. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has proclaimed Thursday, October 23 as Chicago Food Day (http://chicago.foodday.org/), in which local food and health experts and celebrities join Building A Healthier Chicago in creating greater community awareness of the health, economic and environmental benefits of eating real food.

“Chicago is renowned for food innovations and creativity, so it is no surprise that Chicago is also home to progressive leaders in the movement to put more real food on our plates,” said Beth Phillips, Chairperson, Building a Healthier Chicago’s Eat Real Initiative and Founder, Fresh To Work.  “Diets heavy in fast foods, processed foods and convenient foods lead to many personal health issues including obesity, diabetes, heart disease and many cancers.  Diet and lifestyle related illnesses are now the leading cause of death in the U.S.  Knowing how to find and prepare real food is a very simple and important step to a healthy lifestyle.”

Schedule of Events

Because Chicago is home of “make no small plans”, Chicago Food Day activities are spread across the week of October 20^th.  Chicago’s Whole Food Markets will conduct in-store events including healthy cooking with real ingredients and tastings throughout the week. Twitter sensation Hidden Cash Chicago (https://twitter.com/hiddencashchi1) will lend to the excitement of Chicago Food Day with drops of gift certificates, local restaurant certificates and other Food Day specials during the week.

On October 16, Food Patriots will screen its documentary at DePaul University and University of Illinois at Chicago campuses.  The Food Patriots film features people from all walks of life who are trying to change the way Americans eat and buy food, and educate the next generation of consumers.  On October 23^rd, Food Patriots will post a free link on their website so all Chicagoans can watch their new documentary.

On October 23^rd, a wide variety of Chicago Food Day activities (http://chicago.foodday.org/calendar-of-events-details/thu...) take place on Daley Plaza in conjunction with the downtown Chicago Farmer’s Market.

The NOSH featuring select local restaurant vendors serving meals prepared with healthy, local, whole ingredients.

Guest Speakers include Chicago Public Health Commissioner Bechara Choucair, MD, Health and Wellness advocate Karyn Calabrese and Tess Boghossian, state winner in Michelle Obama’s Healthy Lunchtime Challenge

Chicago Public School student workshops

Exhibitions from Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Slow Food Chicago, American Heart Association, Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) and Lifeway Foods.

On October 24^th, Two North Riverside Plaza celebrates Chicago Food Day starting with an educational Poetry Slam by Pilot Light Founders, Chefs Paul Kahan and Jason Hammel, and concludes with exclusive offerings from Chicago’s famed taqueria, Big Star.  The day-of festivities will be packed with cooking demos, urban agricultural tutorials and more.

Chicago Food Day Quotes

“One great way to make a big difference in healthy eating is through the workplace.  Many organizations are enhancing their health & wellness programs to truly engage employees through onsite services, education, events, activities and challenges throughout the year ” said Beth Phillips, Chairperson, Building a Healthier Chicago’s Eat Real Initiative and Founder, Fresh To Work. ”Workplaces can often be a haven for unhealthy foods, snacks, drinks and vending.  When employers focus on this and institute positive changes, it benefits their employees and their bottom line through increased productivity and reduced absenteeism and health care costs.

“Chicago has begun to make real strides in reducing the child obesity rate, but there is more work to be done,” said Dr. Bechara Choucair, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “Chicago Food Day and the attention it brings to improving diets and nutrition is an important component of our overall strategy to provide residents with healthier food choices to help ensure they live healthier, longer lives.”

“I haven’t had meat, fish, chicken or dairy in over 45 years and I drink my green vegetable juice daily,” said Karyn Calabrese, Vegan Restaurant and Holistic Spa Owner.  “My message to Chicagoans is to eat REAL food, stay away from processed, factory made foods, and to drink vegetable juice, the greener the better”

“Cooking and food are really interesting to me and I hope to inspire more kids to explore new foods and improve their eating habits,” said Tess Boghossian, Illinois winner of the Michelle Obama 2014 Healthy Lunchtime Challenge.  “I think it would be great if more kids got involved with planning and preparing family snacks and meals.  It really is fun and I know kids would enjoy it and be great at helping their families become healthier.”

About Chicago Food Day

Building a Healthier Chicago’s Eat Real Chicago! initiative is hosting this year's Chicago Food Day, aimed at promoting nutrition education and the selection of healthy, sustainable and affordable food.  Nationally, Food Day inspires Americans to change their diets and our food policies. Every October 24, thousands of events all around the country bring Americans together to celebrate and enjoy real food and to push for improved food policies.

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Chicago Food Day Media Resources online - Fact Sheets, Infographics and Recipes (http://chicago.foodday.org/media.html)

Media Contacts

Bill Bonner, BonnerIMPR  bill@bonnerimpr.com  630.297.9773