SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — S.F. Mayor Edwin M. Lee this week, on the first day of Summer, issued a proclamation declaring a Soda Free Summer in San Francisco through August 2012. For the past five years, the Soda Free Summer initiative has sought to increase awareness about the health impacts of drinking sugar-sweetened beverages and address the public health crisis of obesity, inactivity and poor nutrition.
“San Franciscans are fortunate to have pristine Hetch Hetchy tap water that is among the cleanest and best tasting in the world,” said Mayor Lee. “This summer, I encourage everyone to rethink choosing sugary drinks and hydrate with clean, refreshing tap water.”
From pristine snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park to faucets across the City, San Francisco’s tap water is the nation’s highest quality tap water. It is one of the purest, safest and best tasting water in the world.
The Soda Free Summer initiative encourages San Francisco children and adults to rethink their drink choices and choose healthier beverages, such as water, low-fat milk and 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices over sugary sodas and other sweetened drinks. Soda Free Summer helps to address the increase of both obesity and diabetes among San Francisco children and adults. Soda is the number one source of added sweeteners in a child’s diet, and encouraging healthy alternatives is important.
Shape Up San Francisco leads the city-wide effort in San Francisco to help residents enjoy a summer without calorically sweetened drinks. The Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Health, SFUSD, DCYF, Recreation and Parks, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, San Francisco Junior Giants and other organizations across San Francisco are incorporating activities that encourage children to rethink their drinks and make healthy choices.
For more information about Shape Up San Francisco, go to: www.shapeupsf.org.
