(Press Release) Wausau, WI June 11, 2012- Amanda Ostrowski, Health Educator with the Marathon County Health Department has been awarded the 2012 Obesity Prevention Superhero award as a Public Health Leader for her pioneering work to making Marathon County and Wisconsin a healthier place to live.

She was recognized by the Wisconsin Partnership for Activity and Nutrition (WI PAN) and the Wisconsin Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (NPAO) Program at the Wisconsin Obesity Prevention Summit on June 11, 2012.

Amanda was instrumental in facilitating the use of the debit or Quest card at the local Wausau Farmers’ Market, allowing residents to use their Quest benefits cards to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables. This was a win-win initiative for all concerned. The local farmers had another market to sell to and the recipients received the benefits of fresh produce as a healthy addition to their daily diet. The results could not have been more positive for a first time effort. 34 vendors participated and almost $3000 was generated in EBT tokens (sales). The success of this venture has encouraged the effort to continue in 2012 and to branch out to other Farmers Markets in Marathon County.

This year, the Obesity Prevention Superhero Awards celebrated twelve individuals and organizations who have done transformative work in their schools, worksites and community institutions—building awareness and increasing access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities.

Those accepting awards are Randy and Julie Johnson from Ashwaubeon’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Jen Van Den Elzen from Live54218, Debra Durchslag from Northwoods Breastfeeding Coalition, Pam Ross from the Opportunity Development Center in Wood County, Sarah Inman from Brown County United Way, Sandy Panzer from ThedaCare, Brenda Rooney from Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, John Dye from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Bev Hall from Waupaca County’s Women, Infants and Children Program and the NuACT Coalition, Amanda Ostrowski of Marathon County’s Health Department and Healthy Eating Active Living Coalition, Stacey Weichelt from Marshfield School District, and Rufus Haucke of Keewaydin Farms.