PRESS RELEASES

More Peas Please: Promoting Childhood Nutrition 

More Peas Please: Promoting Childhood Nutrition on the North Shore 

Area Residents Participate in Nutritional Evening Sponsored by Beverly Hospital and The Food Project

Beverly Hospital, the Hospital's Food Service, Unidine, and The Food Project teamed up recently to host "More Peas Please" - an interactive evening of live food preparation, recipes and nutrition tips for families to help kids make healthy eating choices. More than fifty North Shore area residents attended the event, where Beverly Hospital and The Food Project staff were on hand to discuss nutrition and ways to make delicious and healthy breakfasts, after-school snacks and dinners.

Nutrition plays a significant role in overall health, and of rising concern is childhood obesity and related diseases that are nearing epidemic levels in the United States. Patricia Farina Engel, a Beverly Hospital Nutritionist and Nutrition Consultant for North Shore Pediatrics, spoke during the event about some of the factors impacting childhood nutrition and nutrition-related diseases such as childhood obesity and diabetes.

"Proper nutrition is so important for kids and adults, but it's not always easy with limited budgets and families who are busy and on the go," said Dr. Engel. "The goal of the event was to give families some practical and easy-to-follow advice to help encourage kids to make healthy eating choices. Eating healthy can be fun and relatively simple, and the benefits last a lifetime. "

On the menu for the evening was a variety of kid-friendly snacks made with locally grown food, including Vegetarian Moussaka, Food Truck Fries with homemade Ketchup, and White Chocolate, Maple and Winter Squash Blondies.

Beverly Hospital partnered with The Food Project for the event. The Food Project aims to educate kids and adults about the importance of a sustainable food system and to act as a resource about healthy food production for organizations worldwide.

About Northeast Health Foundation

Northeast Health Foundation is the fundraising arm of Northeast Health System, which is based in Beverly on Massachusetts's North Shore. The Foundation works to build philanthropy for Beverly Hospital, Addison Gilbert Hospital, BayRidge Hospital, CAB Health & Recovery Services and Health & Education Services, Inc.--all not-for-profit affiliates of Northeast Health System.

About Beverly Hospital

Beverly Hospital is a full service, community hospital providing leading-edge, patient-centered care to North Shore and Cape Ann residents. Services include primary care, cardiovascular care, surgery, orthopedics, emergency care, maternity, pediatrics, as well as many other specialties. The hospital boasts a medical staff of more than 550 physicians and its primary service area includes 16 communities.  Beverly Hospital is a member of Northeast Health System.