One Brooklyn
February 28, 2017
BROOKLYN, NY, February 28, 2017: Today, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams capped American Heart Month — observed nationwide in February — with the launch of the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), aimed at changing the dietary and exercise habits at businesses across the borough. The initiative is inspired in part by Borough President Adams’ desire to expand his personal struggle against Type 2 diabetes to a boroughwide battle against diseases sparked by poor food choices. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the metabolic disease, accounting for 90-95 percent of diagnosed cases in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death among adults with diabetes. Borough President Adams spoke about the initiative and his own journey to reverse his poor health through lifestyle changes.
“More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, and one in four don’t even know it. I was one of them,” said Borough President Adams. “Diabetes can have a devastating impact on your body and can lead to blindness, heart disorder, kidney failure, limb amputation, and possible dialysis. After I learned of my diagnosis, I changed my eating habits to include fresh produce, and I eliminated processed foods and sugar. I have never felt better and am now in more control of my health. Brooklynites also have the power to control their wellness, at home and in the workplace. I ask you to join me as we make Brooklyn the healthiest borough in which to work. Together, we can improve Brooklyn’s health and wellness!”
Both Borough President Adams and AHA have recognized the important role that the environments in which Brooklynites live, work, study, play, and pray impact their health. By addressing these settings directly, their shared mission of the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge is to make the healthy choice the default choice through a “culture of health,” starting with the food and beverage options both inside and outside one’s place of employment. Borough President Adams has put this initiative into practice at Brooklyn Borough Hall through a new food policy that encourages partner events and outside organizations who utilize the building, and provide food using their resources, to use recommended guidelines for healthier options.
“On behalf of the New York City volunteers of the American Heart Association, we are grateful for the leadership of Borough President Adams,” said Robin Vitale, vice president of health strategies in New York City for AHA. “We are excited that our mutual goals to motivate a healthier Brooklyn have instigated this new ‘Heart is Why’ workplace challenge. By making a few simple changes in your workplace, you can jumpstart your employees’ health goals, and receive the economic benefit of a more energized workforce. Let’s serve more fruit instead of cake. Let’s provide more access to water instead of sugary drinks. AHA applauds Borough President Adams and we look forward to supporting his vision of a healthier Brooklyn!”
The kickoff for the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge took place in the Brooklyn Navy Yard at 1776, a global innovation network and startup incubator participating in the challenge. Borough President Adams and representatives from AHA were also joined by a number of local businesses that have already signed up, including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC), Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, DUMBO Business Improvement District (BID), Forest City Ratner Companies, Industry City, and Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID.
“1776 is honored to host the launch of Borough President Adams’ Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge at our campus in the vibrant Brooklyn Navy Yard,” said Rachel Haot, managing director at 1776. “As a startup incubator driven by inclusive innovation, we believe in the power of healthy food to build community and nourish the entrepreneurial spirit. Not only do we hope to cultivate the next great food startup, we are proud to serve fresh fruit and meals by Brooklyn-based Bonbite — made with rooftop farm Brooklyn Grange produce — to our hardworking members.”
“A healthy workplace is a productive workplace, and we commend Borough President Adams for leading this effort for Brooklyn,” said Andrew Hoan, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. “He’s put his heart into keeping us heart-healthy and we accept the challenge.”
“BNYDC is proud to partner with AHA and Borough President Adams to promote healthy work place practices here in Brooklyn,” said David Ehrenberg, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. “As we expand from 7,000 jobs to 16,000 in the next five years, we’re excited to further healthy initiatives inside the Navy Yard, including an expanded partnership with Citi Bike and better food options in our vending machines. Additionally, we’re thrilled that our new food hub on the ground floor of the Navy Yard’s most recent development, Building 77, will offer healthy lunch and breakfast options as an amenity for Navy Yard tenants and the local community. BNYDC is looking forward to this partnership, which complements our commitment to job creation, and strengthens the healthy work environments that 21st century employers strive to foster.”
“As one of the nation’s largest and most popular bike share systems, Citi Bike is on the forefront of initiatives that support health. The Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge is a great way to ensure we are practicing what we preach,” said Jules Flynn, general manager of Citi Bike. “Whether we are working with local companies to bolster bike share membership among their employees, expanding New York City’s bike share network and promoting a healthy and sustainable mode of transportation in underserved communities, or offering our employees healthy food options, we are committed to forging a healthier tomorrow.”
“We are delighted to participate in AHA’s Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge with Borough President Adams,” said Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “There have never been so many ways for Brooklynites to stay active and healthy — from our expanded public spaces to our new dining and grocery shopping options across the neighborhood. We look forward to collaborating on this important initiative with Borough President Adams and Brooklyn-based companies going forward.”
“Forest City Ratner Companies is thrilled to join Borough President Adams and AHA in this extremely important initiative. A company’s talent is its most important resource and their health should always be a top priority,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin, president and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies. “The borough president has chosen to lead by example, changing his life around through what he eats and his efforts to guide his constituents to better health must be applauded.”
Companies can select one of two main goals when they sign up on AHA’s website, heart.org/foodwhereur, which would earn 25 points for the challenge. The first option is to improve the meals they provide at events and meetings; suggested upgrades include serving whole grain starches, offering one fruit or vegetable with every meal (preferably two), serving foods using healthier cooking preparation methods other than fried, serving fruit instead of traditional desserts, and serving water as the default beverage. The second option is to improve vending machine beverage choices by reducing the number of sugar-sweetened drinks; at least 50 percent of the selections should include water (flavored, plain, and/or sparkling), fat-free (skim) or low-fat (one percent) milk, milk alternatives such as almond or soy milk, 100 percent fruit juice with no added sugar or sweeteners, or other beverages with no more than 10 calories per serving.
A variety of opportunities for companies to engage their employees in healthy activities year-round can earn five points each in the challenge. These include registering as an advocate for “You’re the Cure;” selecting an AHA Icon Day to participate in and host such as National Walking Day in April or World Stroke Day in October; participating at a heart or stroke health event or activity; providing opportunities for staff to incorporate a “heart minute” activity into their workday such as walking breaks or walking meetings, or signing up at least 10 of their employees for Borough President Adams’ annual Bike to Work event during Earth Week in April.
A company earning a total of 50 points or more will receive a Golden Heart, which includes a press release acknowledgment, local paper completion announcement, social media recognition, recognition at select AHA events, and a citation from Borough President Adams. Offices earning a total of 35 points or more will garner a Silver Heart, which includes a press release acknowledgment, local paper completion announcement, social media recognition, and a certificate from Borough President Adams. Any business earning a total of 25 points or more will earn a Bronze Heart, which includes a press release acknowledgment, social media recognition, and an acknowledgment letter from Borough President Adams.
Businesses interested in participating in the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge can register at heart.org/foodwhereur; for the 2017-2018 edition of the challenge, the deadline to register is Friday, September 1st. Borough President Adams and AHA will announce the winners at next year’s launch during American Heart Month in February.
PHOTOS
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams launched the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), aimed at changing the dietary and exercise habits at businesses across the borough; the announcement took place in the Brooklyn Navy Yard at 1776, a global innovation network and startup incubator participating in the challenge.
Photo Credit: Erica Sherman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams launched the Brooklyn Healthy Workplace Challenge in collaboration with the American Heart Association (AHA), aimed at changing the dietary and exercise habits at businesses across the borough; the announcement took place in the Brooklyn Navy Yard at 1776, a global innovation network and startup incubator participating in the challenge.
Photo Credit: Erica Sherman/Brooklyn BP’s Office
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