Kindergarteners Surprised with Delicious and Nutritious Lunches

Florida Hospital, Orlando Magic and Wholesome Tummies Surprise Students with Delicious and Nutritious Lunches

Kindergarten class at St. Andrew Catholic School recipient of Be Healthy lunch program

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 1, 2010 - Lunchtime will never be the same for one local Orange County kindergarten class. Today, Orlando Magic Community Ambassador, Bo Outlaw, and Magic dancers made a colorful surprise entrance as they burst through the classroom doors of a kindergarten class at St. Andrew Catholic School to share the exciting news that they are the recipient of the first-ever Be Healthy lunch program, and will receive free healthy lunches and special nutrition programming for the remainder of the school year.

"As a teacher, I see first hand how crucial it is for students to have healthy meals in order to learn and grow," said Ms. Lori Auger, the teacher of this class. "My students are each unique and full of energy, and I know this program will impact their lives tremendously now and in years to come. I am ever so grateful that they have this opportunity to eat healthy meals and understand the significance of nutrition, and their parents are thrilled to be involved as well."

Ms. Auger's class of 19 kindergarteners at St. Andrew Catholic School was selected by a panel of judges from the three partner organizations for creativity, need and a compelling story. Criteria included an administrator support letter, teacher essay and class picture to accompany the application. Ms. Auger was inspired to apply for this opportunity because she wished that she had learned how to make healthier food choices at a younger age so the transition to eating healthy would have been easier. However, her primary motivation for submitting an application was for the children in her class.

As part of the pilot program, the organizations committed to providing free lunches for the remainder of the school year to one elementary class in Central Florida. After a challenging selection process due to a number of outstanding applicants, the winning class was officially announced at today's launch party where the pint-size students were able to sample their first "taste" of delicious and nutritious Wholesome Tummies lunch items and celebrate with special guests!

The free lunches will be delivered daily to Ms. Auger's class from today until the end of the school year. The lunches will be prepared fresh every day by Wholesome Tummies using only pure, organic and all-natural ingredients, without trans-fats, high fructose corn syrup, nitrates and artificial colors and flavors. In addition to receiving tasty treats at school, nutrition education and guidance will be provided throughout the semester to teach the kids and their families about maintaining good nutrition and that healthy food can be fun!

"I think the kids will be really surprised at how much they enjoy more nutritious foods, including some things they've maybe never tried before," said Samantha Gotlib, co-founder of Wholesome Tummies. "We try to make healthy food as delicious as possible so we make things kids love; we just put a healthy twist on it. If we can change a child's eating habits while they are young, it will set them up for a healthier lifestyle."

The Be Healthy lunch program was kicked off a few weeks ago, as Bo Outlaw and Orlando Magic mascot, STUFF, donned chef hats and aprons and competed in a demonstration to put together the healthiest lunch. This initiative was "cooked up" by Florida Hospital, Orlando Magic and Wholesome Tummies to encourage children to eat healthier and learn about the importance of good nutrition, in an effort to combat the rise of obesity.

"Obesity is a growing epidemic in our community," said Tim Burrill, assistant administrator at Florida Hospital for Children. "It can cause all kinds of medical complications and it is so important to educate our children about how to live healthy lives. Be Healthy was created to help kids learn about healthy options at a young age."

For media inquiries only, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

Florida Hospital

Florida Hospital is on a journey to encourage healthy behavior and inspire the community to live healthier, longer lives. The Be Healthy lunch program is a pilot program associated with Florida Hospital's Healthy 100 initiative.

Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than a million patient visits per year - that's more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association.  The more than 2,000-bed system, comprised of eight hospitals and 19 Centra Care locations, has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hospitals in the country for the past 10 years. 

Orlando Magic

Orlando's NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic's mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. On the court, Orlando has won four division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009), had five 50-plus win seasons, and won the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise, scholarships and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 75,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 5,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, over the last 20 years nearly $15 million has been distributed to local non-profit community organizations via the Orlando Magic Youth Fund (OMYF), a fund of the McCormick Foundation since 1994, which serves at risk and disadvantaged youth. Ticket highlights include: 7,569 seats priced $25 or under per game; a $27 lower bowl ticket; and tickets priced at $10 per game. For ticket information log on to orlandomagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

Through the National Basketball Association's NBA CARES program, the league, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years. The NBA is broadcast in 215 countries and territories in 42 languages.

The Orlando Magic is also the developer of the Amway Center which will compete to host major national events, concerts and family shows. Opening in the fall of 2010, the facility will be operated by the City of Orlando and owned by the Central Florida community. 

Wholesome Tummies

Wholesome Tummies, operated by two Central Florida mothers, provides fresh, natural and organic lunches to elementary students at Orlando-area schools in Orange and Seminole counties. For more information, visit www.wholesometummies.com.

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