"Let's Move" Hits Medford This Week

First of all, it's about fun. It's about the joy of movement and play. Let's Move Medford! wants you and your family to come and play with them on June 5 at Hormel Stadium from 1-4.

Let's Move Medford! is a field day and informational fair. What began as an outreach of Grace Episcopal Church dovetailed with Michelle Obama's national Let's Move! intitiative. It's rooted in creating a healthier American culture by providing healthy structures at home and school for children and families.

 It will provide information, but Let's Move Medford! wants to show you that healthier lifestyles are fun, accessible, and affordable. With the emphasis on "fun." You'll probably find the food pyramid here, but what will sell you on making changes is enjoying yourself. Stephen Trever of Grace Church explained, "Caring for yourself, life becomes more fulfilling. You can have a lot of information, but it's the joy that makes it hit home."

Let's Move Medford! seeks to entertain and inform all families and ages. Children's activities will include tumbling, relay races, field games, and hula hoops. Children AND adults will enjoy karate, Zumba, and yoga.

The Let's Move! Initiative was created to end childhood obesity. The movement hopes to do this in one generation, and it is structured on these five pillars:

1. Creating a healthy start for children
2. Empowering parents and caregivers
3. Providing healthy food in schools
4. Improving access to a healthy affordable foods
5. Increasing physical activity

To create that healthy start for kids, Sara Folta, a nutritionist and "sneaky foods" expert will share ideas.  Whole Foods Market's Healthy Eating Specialist will be there, with information and samples. There will be a table on affordable healthy eating. These will help provide solid plans, strategies, and connections for healthier eating. 

Information will empower parents and caregivers, and to that end Hallmark Health and Public Health at Tufts will be there.  There will be information on fit pregnancies and new mom's groups.  There will be booths that strive to connect families with community resources.  WIC, EMARC, and the Medford Family Network can bridge those in need with services.  Chenine Peloquin of EMARC feels this can be reciprocal: it "can help providers see what's missing."  According to Let's Move Medford! "No one has been charged to have a booth at the event; you can be sure that outreach to the families in Medford is their primary concern."

Please, come for the fun but stay for the information. All events are free and open to the public. In fact, they'll reward you for coming: Red Sox tickets, scholarships to summer programs, and gym memberships are some of the prizes being raffled.

Let's Move Medford! will be on Sunday, June 5 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will be at Hormel Stadium on Locust Street in Medford, adjacent to McGlynn Middle School. The event will be moved inside McGlynn School in case of inclement weather.