The American Heart Association Wants Families to Eat More Meals Together Too

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

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OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

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OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

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Few good habits lead to better health than families preparing and eating meals together at home. That’s why Cordial and the Heart Association were so happy to jump on board with National Family Meals Month. Encouraging families to eat one more meal together each week — preferably at home — serves the goals of the association’s Healthy For Good campaign.

By: Tom Cosgrove, Manager, Program and Development, FMI Foundation <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/aha-photo.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=b0947d6e_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="AHA Eat Well" title="AHA Eat Well" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;" />Few good habits lead to better health than families preparing and eating meals together at home. “Yes,” said Michelle Cordial, vice president of healthy living for the American Heart Association. “that’s what we’ve noticed. People who prepare their own meals and eat them at home are healthier. Period. End of story.” That’s why Cordial and the Heart Association were so happy to jump on board with National Family Meals Month. Encouraging families to eat one more meal together each week — preferably at home — serves the goals of the association’s Healthy For Good campaign. Healthy For Good is designed to communicate to people in language they understand the science-based information that will encourage them to: <ul> <li>Eat smart</li> <li>Move more</li> <li>Add color (to their diets, that is), and</li> <li>Be well.</li> </ul> The seed for the campaign was planted in Cordial’s brain when she went to work for the American Heart Association two years ago and saw the 700 pages of research it then had available on how to lead a longer, healthier life. “My head was spinning,” she said. Thus began her initiative to turn all that solid, science-based information into language that people can relate to. Cordial knew that 75 percent of Americans believe living a healthy lifestyle is important, but 60 percent of them are confused about what is healthy. “We’re trying to give very easy-to-understand messages about what science says will help you lead a longer, healthier life,” she said. Two of those four tenets mentioned above, “eat smart” and “add color,” is where food retailers come in. The very wide and deep collection of recipes and cooking videos available at <a href="http://healthyforgood.heart.org/">healthyforgood.heart.org</a> is an arsenal that grocery stores can use to help their customers make the right choices. Cordial encourages food retailers to consult <a href="http://healthyforgood.heart.org/">healthyforgood.heart.org</a> frequently. “One thing that prevents people from being healthy is not knowing what is healthy,” she said. “The second thing is skills. We want to help people develop the skills to be healthy. That’s what our cooking videos and our simple, easy recipes are for.” To learn more about National Family Meals Month and all of the partners promoting this campaign, visit <a href="http://www.fmifamilymeals.com/">www.fmifamilymeals.com</a>, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #FamilyMealsMonth on social media!

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.