PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Emily Hiron, Student from Beacon High School
2:11:53
·
99 sec
Emily Hiron, a junior at Beacon High School and intern at Chili's on Wheels, testified in support of Introduction 641, which proposes nutrition standards for children's meals in food service establishments. She highlighted the impact of unhealthy meal options on low-income families and communities of color.
- Emily shared personal experiences of her family resorting to fast food due to affordability, leading to health issues for her younger siblings.
- She emphasized the disproportionate impact of diet-related health issues on Black and Latino communities.
- As an intern at Chili's on Wheels, Emily has been actively involved in promoting the bill and raising awareness about children's health in her community.
Emily Hiron
2:11:53
Hello.
2:11:54
Good afternoon.
2:11:55
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
2:11:57
My name is Emily Hiron.
2:11:58
I live in Hell's Kitchen, and I'm a junior at Beacon High School.
2:12:01
I am also an intern at Chili's on Meals.
2:12:04
I support the nutrition standards and beverage options for children's meals served in food service establishment, intro 641, because not only have health unhealthy meal options negatively impacted the health of my community and family, but it has also impacted my motivation to lead a healthy lifestyle.
2:12:22
I come from a low income family, and we often have to resort to buying from fast food restaurants because they are more affordable.
2:12:29
This lifestyle has impacted my younger younger siblings' health, leading them to have higher levels of sugar and cholesterol.
2:12:36
I urge you to vote in favor of this bill because many low income families struggle with this exact issue.
2:12:42
Most importantly, a disproportionate number of young kids struggle with various issues such as diabetes and obesity.
2:12:48
This number impacts black and Latino communities the most.
2:12:52
Furthermore, kids' meals in fast food restaurants contain unhealthy levels of sugar, sodium, and fats.
2:12:58
This is why it is important to include kids' meals that meet the nutrition standards.
2:13:03
As an intern on, of Chili's on Wheels, I have urged city council members to cosponsor our bill, hung posters around my neighborhood, and overall, pushed the importance of health of children's health within my community.
2:13:17
Healthy lifestyle this bill would promote healthy lifestyles for young children, preventing them from life threatening diseases in the long run.
2:13:25
It would also benefit low income communities by expanding the options for on the child menu.
2:13:31
I urge you to support this bill.
Dr. Natalie Greaves-Peters
2:13:33
Thank you for your time.
