The National League of Cities (NLC) has recognized Mayor Jim Darling for recent completion of key health and wellness goals for Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Countries (LMCTC). LMCTC is a major component of First Lady Michelle Obama's comprehensive Let's Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. LMCTC calls upon local elected officials to adopt sustainable and holistic policies that improve communities' access to healthy affordable food and opportunities for physical activity through five goal areas.
All LMCTC sites have the opportunity to earn up to five gold medals, one for each actionable goal to which they commit to as part of the initiative. Medals are awarded to local elected officials based on achievements in each of the following five goal areas:
- Goal I: Start Early, Start Smart: Promoting best practices for nutrition, physical activity, and screen time in early care and education settings.
- Goal II: My Plate, Your Place: Prominently displaying MyPlate in all municipal or county venues where food is served.
- Goal III: Smart Servings for Students: Expanding access to meal programs before, during and after the school day, and/or over summer months.
- Goal IV: Model Food Service: Implementing healthy and sustainable food service guidelines that are aligned with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
- Goal V: Active Kids at Play: Increasing opportunities for physical activity.
Let’s Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) is part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s comprehensive Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. The City of McAllen with help of the National League of Cities and our Community Partners, is striving to build a healthy community for all of our citizens.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
LMCTC helps local elected officials develop long-term, sustainable, and holistic strategies that promote improved nutrition and increased physical activity in their communities.
LMCTC unifies the efforts of cities, towns and counties across the country in pursuing five measurable and achievable goals, which were developed with input from local elected officials:
- Start Early, Start Smart:
Provide children in early care and education settings with a healthy start.
- MyPlate, Your Place:
Display MyPlate in city- and county-owned venues that serve food.
- Smart Servings for Students:
Increase participation in school breakfast and lunch programs.
- Model Food Service:
Adopt healthy food service guidelines at city- and county-owned venues that serve food.
- Active Kids at Play:
Take steps to promote physical activity.
The City of McAllen has joined the USDA in partnership for the MyPlate program with goals of promoting healthy dietary guidelines within our community. You can learn more about the program by going to www.ChooseMyPlate.gov
10 Tips for a Great Plate
Healthy Eating for Preschoolers
Fruits & Vegetables
Community Partners of the City's Let's Move! initiative include McAllen Independent School District and The Monitor. If you are interested in being a partner, please contact Jolee Perez at jrperez@mcallen.net or (956) 681-1400.
Let's Move! Steering Committee
| Organization |
Member |
| City of McAllen |
Veronica Vela Whitacre |
| City of McAllen |
Jolee Perez |
| City of McAllen |
Dawn Rapoza |
| McAllen ISD |
Mario Reyna |
| McAllen ISD |
Adalia Del Bosque |
| McAllen ISD |
Alex Molina |
| McAllen ISD |
Debbie Crane Aliseda |
| Head Start |
Lupita Valdez |
| Region One |
Francis Guzman |
| The Monitor |
Sandra Sanchez |
| McAllen Farmers Market |
Rocio Hernandez |
| Rio Grande Regional Hospital |
Cristina Rivera |
| Uptown Family Dentistry |
Aleda Reyes |