The recipient of the first place Small City Award was Perris, Calif., Mayor Michael M. Vargas for his Green City Farm/Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge.

The Green City Farm/Healthiest Cities & Counties Challenge addresses obesity in Perris by building gardens, providing nutrition education, increasing access to healthier and affordable foods and inspiring healthier lifestyles. The grant will help the city build 30 gardens throughout the city.

“We have all these partners involved and focused on good healthy eating and healthy choices and it’s a win, win for everybody…receiving these funds is going to go a long way for our program.” said Mayor Vargas of the award.

It is through programs like these that we can have a lasting impact on the health and wellness of families across America. To learn more about this year’s award winners, click here.