The beverage industry has a long tradition of giving back to our local communities and collaborating with leaders across our nation on meaningful solutions to societal challenges such as obesity. Today, at The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., six mayors were selected to receive $445,000 in grants to support outstanding programs in their cities that encourage balanced diet choices and regular physical activity.

The winning cities are Baltimore, Md., Columbia, S.C., Everett, Mass., Fontana, Calif., New Orleans, La., and Plainfield, N.J.

“Mayors are at the forefront of addressing the most significant issues in our communities – and no issue is more important than the health and welfare of our children,” said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and executive director. “From a public health, economic and community viability perspective, we’ve got to do everything we can to make sure our kids understand how to eat healthy and stay active.”

America’s beverage industry is an integral part of America’s hometowns and that is why we are proud to partner with the USCM to support these awards through the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program. Funded by the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, the program has awarded more than $1.3 million in grants to date.

We congratulate these mayors and their cities and wish them much success with their programs. Learn more about the winning mayors’ programs here.