City of Monroe, LA

Award Presented at U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C.  

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo is pleased to announce the City of Monroe was awarded a $25,000 grant for the Mayor’s Fit Monroe Program, a planned initiative designed to fight childhood obesity. 

Katherine Lugar, President and CEO of the American Beverage Association, sponsor of the award, presented Mayor Mayo, Planning & Urban Development Director Ellen Hill, and Community Development Director Jawaun Downs with the award today during the Childhood Obesity Prevention Luncheon at the U.S. Conference of Mayor’s 87th Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C. 

The Mayor’s Fit Monroe Program will focus on school age children between 6 and 14-years-old; but, it can be beneficial to students of all ages, parents, and others within the community. Program goals include the following: Creating more afterschool physical fitness programs that encourage children to walk, run, skate or bike daily; Having monthly Saturday programs to teach healthy nutrition, gardening, cooking and competitive sporting activities; and, starting more school-based gardens to encourage healthy eating by serving fresh fruits and vegetables grown by students at those schools. 

The Mayor’s Fit Monroe Program will also include partnerships with local farmers, chefs, agriculture centers, master gardeners, the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, other non-profits, schools and government entities.