Last month, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America awarded over $400,000 to mayors of six cities who have developed innovative programs to fight childhood obesity.

Second place winner for a large city was awarded to Baltimore, Md., Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for her “Learning Journeys: Enhanced Farm and Nutrition Education” Initiative.

The initiative focuses on further integrating the city’s Great Kids Farm program that teaches kids about cooking and farming to boost vegetable consumption. With the grant, Mayor Rawlings-Blake will work to increase students’ “Learning Journeys,” or visits to local farms, and also expand the program to high school students.

Through public private partnerships like these we can have a real and lasting impact on public health issues.

We congratulate Baltimore and wish them much success with their program. To read more about Baltimore’s initiative and the other winners, click here.