Each year the U.S. Conference of Mayors in partnership with the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America provides grants to support mayors who are proactively working to fight childhood obesity in their cities. This year Waterloo, Iowa, Mayor Quentin Hart received the 2017 Childhood Obesity Prevention Award for a small city in recognition of his innovative “Healthy H2O Loo” initiative.

According to Waterloo’s local paper, The Courier, the grant money will help “expand the fruit and vegetable voucher program through Covenant Clinic and the Cedar Valley Blue Zones Project’s work in health and wellness programs and education in local schools.”

Mayor Hart told the paper the health of his community is a priority for him. “I joined a fitness club myself to lead by example,” he said. “We’re just trying to promote a healthier lifestyle.”

The beverage industry is proud to support the great work of America’s mayors to drive meaningful solutions to the challenge of childhood obesity. We know that by working together we can make a difference and bring about real and lasting change.

To learn more about Mayor Hart’s program visit http://www.usmayors.org/childhoodobesity/

Congratulations to Mayor Hart and the city of Waterloo!