Ridgewood Fire Department Swaps Helmets for Chefs Hats

HealthBarn® USA Teaches Local Heroes How to Stay Heart Healthy On and Off the Job

News provided by

Jan 25, 2017, 07:21 ET

RIDGEWOOD, N.J., Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Village of Ridgewood Fire Department is partnering with HealthBarn USA to boost their nutrition literacy and to cook heart healthy variations of some firehouse favorite dinners during interactive workshops. Registered dietitian, Stacey Antine, founder of HealthBarn® USA will educate the local heroes on how to prepare meals that are simple, healthy, delicious and suitable for life at the station and at home from her book, Appetite for Life. The workshops are funded through a FEMA Wellness & Fitness Grant awarded to the Ridgewood Fire Department.

According to a systemic review published in Cardiology Review, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of on-duty death among firefighters (45% of on-duty fatalities) and a major cause of morbidity. These findings suggest that preventive measures with proven benefits be applied aggressively to firefighters. "Getting our team eating better and living healthier overall is a priority," said James Van Goor, Chief of Ridgewood Fire Department. "Through the FEMA grant we have increased the Department's level of physical fitness, and now we are focusing on nutrition through a special heart healthy cooking program designed by Stacey and the team at HealthBarn USA."

"We are excited about the opportunity to share our nutrition and culinary expertise to support the firefighters who do so much for the community," said Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, founder of HealthBarn USA and author of Appetite for Life. "Through the cooking workshops, the firefighters will be able to meal plan for weekly shifts as well as be able to easily prepare nutritious and hearty recipes for their long-term health."

The workshops for 35 firefighters will be held in the HealthBarn USA teaching kitchen located at 1057 Hillcrest Road, Ridgewood on January 25, 26, 27, February 16, 28 and March 3, 2017.

HealthBarn® USA
HealthBarn USA, founded in 2005 by Appetite for Life author, Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, is a leader in proven healthy-lifestyle education for children and their families. The goal of HealthBarn USA is to empower children families to confidently take ownership of their health, For more information please visit www.healthbarnusa.com.