Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Youth soccer coaches in New Hampshire are getting coupon booklets for discounts on fruits and vegetables to share with their teams as part of a program emphasizing healthier snack options.
The program, called "Snack It Up," wants to reach out to more than 3,000 youth athletes this fall.
The program was created as an initiative of childObesity180 at the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition. It helps coaches and after-school program leaders upgrade their snacks through support and collaboration from community partners.
The New Hampshire Soccer Association and Hannaford Supermarkets are teaming up for the program.
"We are thrilled to participate in Snack It Up so that our coaches can help youth athletes fuel up on healthier snacks more affordably," said Eric Redder, technical director of New Hampshire Soccer Association. "We work hard to teach our players to lead healthy, active lives, and this initiative helps build healthy habits on, and off, the field."
The launch of the program in New Hampshire builds on successful recent pilots in Massachusetts and Maine and is part of ChildObesity180's effort to reverse the trend of childhood obesity.
Since 1980, obesity rates have doubled in 2-5 year olds, quadrupled in 6-11 year olds, and tripled in 12-19 year olds.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
