The Wisconsin Beverage Association and Wisconsin's leading beverage companies are working together to support healthy and active communities across the state. Recently, they partnered with local community organizations in Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay to continue to encourage positive change in both the environmental and health and wellness spaces.

"We believe that by working with others, we can get further faster," said Kelly McDowell, executive secretary of the Wisconsin Beverage Association in a recent blog published in The Bobber, "so we are going to continue to sustain the partnerships that we have, both at a community level and in the public health domain."

Through a partnership with the United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee and the Medical College of Wisconsin, a summer youth program called "Growing Your Future" was formed to focus on adolescent health and to encourage a balanced lifestyle.

"Growing Your Future helped me make better choices," said Kelvin Harris, a participant in the program. "Without the program at the community center... I'd be one of those people being a follower, not a leader."

In Madison, the "Seed to Table" program was formed from the Goodman Community Center, focusing on culinary arts, food processing and health and fitness. And in Green Bay, the city of Green Bay Parks and Recreation Department, Prevea Health and Live54218 built the Parks Rx program which is working to increase youth engagement at playgrounds and in other various recreational activities.

"Wisconsin's non-alcoholic beverage industry is a vibrant part of local communities across the state where we also live, work and play and we are committed to being part of meaningful solutions to societal challenges." said McDowell.

Read the full article here to learn more about each of the programs.