WYCKOFF’S ABMA’S FARM HOSTS NEW HEALTHY-LIFESTYLE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

 HealthBarn^® USA Brings National Experts, Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension and Local Health Professionals Together to Address Urgent Need for Healthy-Lifestyle Education

WYCKOFF, NJ, April 6, 2005 – HealthBarn^® USA in partnership with ABMA’s Farm, Inc. brings a completely fresh approach to teaching children and their families about nutrition and health through a new hands-on learning experience that combines physical activity, research-based nutrition education, and self-esteem development.  The healthy-lifestyle education program for children 6-11-years-old and their families takes place on the spectacular 30-acre ABMA’s family farm in Wyckoff, New Jersey and offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for children to participate in growing, harvesting and preparing recipes with fresh, seasonal food.  Spring classes begin April 2005.

The unique curriculum was designed by Stacey Antine, MS, RD, founder and CEO of HealthBarn USA and its nationally recognized expert advisory board, in collaboration with Dr. Debra Palmer Keenan and her research team from the nutrition sciences department at Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension at Cook College, and with Joel Flagler and his team of Master Gardeners at Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Bergen County, a part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Americans spent $110 billion in 2000 on fast food – more than they spent on higher education, personal computers, software or new cars -- and children get a third of their calories from fast food and other types of restaurants.  “Meals today are on-the-go.  Parents, to keep up with school, sport and social demands, are turning to processed and fast foods.  No longer do families plan, prepare and eat food in their homes.  For the future health of our children, we have to change.  This takes time, commitment and education,” stated Barbara Duffy, APN, school nurse at High Mountain Road Elementary School in Franklin Lakes, NJ.

Approximately 30.3 percent of children ages 6-11 are overweight and 15.3 percent are obese, according to the American Obesity Association.  “HealthBarn USA’s healthy-lifestyle education program is a completely different approach than what has been available in the past to children and their families who need guidance on nutrition, health and weight,” said Antine, a native of Bergen Country, NJ.  “Families need to make living a healthy-lifestyle a priority – our fun and educational 12-week programs offer practical tools to help change behavior and equip their children to lead strong, energetic lives.”

“ABMA’s Farm & Market has always celebrated children and their families through our farm tours, hayrides and birthday parties,” stated Judy Abma of ABMA’s Farm, Inc.  “The addition of HealthBarn USA at our family farm recognizes the importance of teaching children about a healthy lifestyle at an early age so they can enjoy happy and fulfilling lives.”

The HealthBarn USA advisory board includes: Curtis Aikens cookbook author and celebrity chef, Food Network; Jeanne Goldberg, PhD, RD, Director, Center on Nutrition Communication and nutrition communication program, Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy; Jennifer Otten, MS, RD, Communications Director, Institute of Medicine, Washington, DC; Densie Webb, PhD, RD, national health reporter and co-author, “The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous,” and Christine Williams, MD, MPH, Director, Children’s Cardiovascular Health Center, and professor of clinical pediatrics, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The seasonal programs also include weekly parent workshops to give families the skills necessary to support healthy living at home. The spring program package costs $120 per week for 12 weeks,* which includes an initial one-hour private consultation, followed by children attending a two-hour session each week, and their parents attending a one-hour session each week, email updates, and healthful snacks.

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* Fee may be income tax deductible, partially covered by health insurance, or by a flexible savings account.

HealthBarn USA, Inc.

HealthBarnUSA, based in Rutherford, NJ, is the leader in unique healthy-lifestyle education for children and their families who will benefit from guidance on nutrition, health and weight.  Run in partnership with family farms, the programs combine research-based nutrition education, physical activity and self-esteem development in an entertaining, high-energy, learning environment.  The goal of HealthBarn USA is to empower children to confidently take ownership of their health, and to become enthusiastic about leading strong, energetic lives.  For more information please visit www.healthbarnusa.com.