COUNCIL VICE CHAIR BLEGAY TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON HEALTHY RESTAURANTS BILL, CALLING FOR SUPPORT OF THE MEASURE BEFORE SCHEDULED FINAL VOTE ON JULY 18TH
Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq. (District 6) will hold a press conference at the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building (Tech Lounge) on Tuesday, July 18 at 9:00 a.m. to encourage support for CB-46-2023, proposed legislation to establish a voluntary healthy restaurant program in the County.
Vice Chair Blegay, along with several restaurant owners and advocates, will speak to encourage full support and enactment of the measure before the public hearing and final vote, which will take place during a scheduled Council session at 10:00 a.m., immediately following the press event.
Vice Chair Blegay proposed CB-46-2023 in response to the rise in chronic illnesses and the County’s lack of healthy food options. If enacted, Prince George’s County Government would provide incentives to restaurants offering foods deemed “healthy” by the Health Department’s Healthcare Action Coalition and a registered dietician. To receive County incentives, at least 40% of a restaurant’s meals must be deemed healthy and include one “healthy” plant-based meal. County support would be offered in the form of zero-interest loans, publicity, marketing, promotion during annual Restaurant Weeks, and other incentives.
According to the Prince George’s Department of Health, one out of every three American adults is living with pre-diabetes. Being overweight and obese are risk factors for pre-diabetes and can lead to Type 2 diabetes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 70% of adults both in Prince George’s County and in the U.S. are classified as overweight.
“Prince George’s County has very limited healthy restaurant options. In my district and in Prince George’s County, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death,” said Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay. “Residents in my district have been demanding access to better food options, so they have an opportunity to live healthier lives. We need to provide residents with these amenities to improve their quality of life. Having healthy eating options is essential and will prevent residents from leaving Prince George’s County to search for healthy restaurant options.”
What: Press Conference on Council Bill-046-2023
Who:
- Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay, Esq.
- Duane and Tori King, Cofounders, Fresh Green
- Jeremiah Abu-Bakr, Franchise Owner, Fresh Green
- Heaven Jordan, Program Associate, Prince George's County Food Equity Council
- Dr. Baruch Ben-Yehudah, Founder and CEO, Everlasting Life Restaurants
- Clement Troutman, Franchise Owner, Tropical Smoothie Cafe
When: Tuesday, July 18, 2023, 9:00 AM
Where: Technology Lounge; Wayne K. Curry Administration Building; 1301 McCormick Drive, Largo, MD 20774
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