Assemblywoman Sandra Galef (90 A.D.) is holding a press conference to introduce a bill (A.6563-A) which calls for the ban of non-nutritious foods within school vending machines during school hours.

The legislation is part of an effort to protect our state's children from heart disease, Type II diabetes, sleep apnea, gallbladder disease, and other side-effects associated with obesity. The Assemblywoman announces that she will be joined by invited guests from the nutrition and education fields, including:

• Dr. Barnett Sturm, Superintendent of Lakeland School District
• Dr. Barry Shapiro, M.D., F.A.C.S., founder of Healthy Life 2000, a nutrition and    exercise program for overweight children
• Joanne Ricapito, Director of Food Services for Lakeland School District
• Representatives from the Lakeland School Nutrition Committee
• Students from Lakeland School District

Lakeland School District, host of the press conference, has joined Assemblywoman Galef in the efforts to improve nutrition among our children. The school district has its own nutrition committee and manages a profitable food service, both of which have aimed to improve the eating habits of students by offering healthier choices for meals and snacks during school hours.

The percentage of our nation's children who are overweight has tripled since 1980 to reach 15 percent, with New York State's rate of overweight children exceeding the national average. A study conducted by the English Medical Journal The Lancet found that a child's risk of obesity increases significantly with each additional serving of soft drinks consumed. The Lancet also found that soft-drink consumption has increased by almost 500% over the past 50 years.

Nutritious refreshments will be provided at the press conference.

Please call Assemblywoman Galef's district office at (914) 941-1111 for more information.