By Laurie D. Willis
Livingstone College News Service

SALISBURY – Today, Livingstone hopes to feast on Winston-Salem State University when the CIAA rivals compete inside Alumni Memorial Stadium.

And while the Blue Bears work on taking a bite out of the Rams, everyone inside the stadium will get a chance to take a bite out of an apple.

That’s because Livingstone is participating in Food Day 2015, and just as has been done since 2012, organizers are asking people across the country to take a ceremonious bite out of an apple at a designated time.

“I think it’s great that Livingstone is going to participate in such a worthwhile event,” said President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. “The purpose of Food Day is to inspire Americans to change their diets and food policies, and that’s certainly something about which we’re concerned here at Livingstone. For example, last year we began revitalizing our farm, which will include organic fruits and vegetables that will be prepared in our cafeteria and also donated to some Salisbury residents.

“I’m delighted we were able to partner with Jon Barber’s SEED Foundation, Variety Produce and Novant Health to ensure we’re able to distribute apples to everyone who attends our game on Saturday,” Jenkins continued. “If we’re honest, I’m sure we all could do a better job of watching what we eat. And, like the saying goes, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ ”

Apple Crunch originated in New York City three years ago, when approximately 400,000 New Yorkers bit into locally grown New York State apples at the same time, according to information on foodday.org. A year later in 2013, New Yorkers set a world record when a million people participated in the event.

More than 2,000 apples will be available at Livingstone today. Game attendees will be given apples in reusable bags that will also contain flyers with 10 tips on healthy eating. Tips include balancing calories, avoiding oversized portions, drinking fat-free or low-fat milk and eating low-sodium foods.

The bags were donated by Novant Health Rowan Medical Center, with whom Livingstone has partnered on other initiatives.

Head Football Coach Daryl Williams said he’s glad the college will participate in Apple Crunch.

“To be successful on and off the field, student-athletes must maintain well-balanced diets and get proper exercise,” Williams said. “To that end, we constantly remind our players to be mindful of what they eat. I think it’s great that the college is participating in Apple Crunch, which I hope will motivate everyone at the game to consider making fruits and vegetables a regular part of their diet.”

Food Day was created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) but is powered by a diverse coalition of food movement leaders and organizations, including student leaders, public offices, school districts and local organizers, according to information on foodday.org.

At Livingstone, Terri Stevenson, associate vice president of student affairs/student engagement,

Tanya Turner, administrative coordinator in The President’s Office, Kevin Turner, Dancy Residence Hall director, and Anthony Brown, director of student activities, helped organize the event.

“On behalf of Dr. Orlando Lewis and the entire Student Affairs Division, we’re excited and pleased to promote healthy living through Food Day 2015,” Brown said. “We operate under a holistic college module at Livingstone, which has health and wellness as one of its tenets. It’s not always easy to get college students to think about the foods they eat, but we’re hoping this initiative at the football game will be the catalyst for them – and others – to become more cognizant of the importance of healthy eating.”