Representatives of Costco, Levy Restaurants, Compass Group and Heart Association join Access to Healthy Foods Coalition

Four individuals representing major interests in the way Washingtonians eat have joined the board of an organization dedicated to upgrading food choices in the state.  The Access To Healthy Foods Coalition filled board vacancies and elected officers at its end-of-year meeting at Snoqualmie Pass on June 23.

Rob Ault from Levy Restaurants at Qwest Field, Rick Ragan from Compass Group USA, and Kristin Wurz from State Health Alliances for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association were elected to three-year terms on the board.  Heather Shavey from Costco Wholesale will complete a vacant position through 2007.

“We are extremely pleased with the range and depth of experience of our new board members,” said newly elected board chair Karen Bonaudi of the Washington State Potato Commission.  “We are at a critical time in our early history, and these representatives will bring sound ideas and support to how we carry out our mission.”

Access To Healthy Foods Coalition efforts were initiated in 2003 by the Washington State Department of Health as a way to increase healthy eating and to implement the Washington State Nutritional and Physical Activity Plan.

Renewing board members were George Sneller (treasurer) from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Lori Ferko from Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, and Skip Johnson from Get Fit Foods.

Besides Bonaudi, they join David Bobanik of Rotary First Harvest (vice chair), Lori Ferko (secretary) from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, past chair Rich Femenella of the Northwest Automatic Vending Association, Linda Mendoza with the Washington State Dairy Council, Kyle Unland from the Department of Health, and Eric Hurlburt with the Department of Agriculture.

“Our first annual meeting and conference, held last April at Chateau St. Michelle Winery, was an overwhelming success,” says Bonaudi.  “We are looking to increase our partnerships with others who share our interest in improving eating habits of youth and adults.”

Access To Healthy Foods Coalition, a 501(c)(3), is a group of businesses, industries, government agencies and non-profit organizations working together to positively influence health and nutrition in Washington state by improving access to healthy foods where we live, learn, work and play. Access increases the availability of healthy foods by changing the environment where food is available and by working with policy makers to promote change. Information is available from www.accesstohealthyfoods.org or email info@accesstohealthyfoods.org.

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