Bend Woman Pedaling Far For Healthy Kids
One Bend woman will ride her bike 6,000 miles to 16 states in 10 months. Sara Salo said Thursday it is an effort to push a healthy lifestyle for students around the country.
Salo is the spokesperson for the School Food Tour, and she is gearing up for the journey, in which she will visit 30 communities nationwide to spread her important message: eating right and staying active.
“Along the ride, I really hope to start conversations to be that spark in communities along the way,” Salo said. “And get people motivated to start to address issues that are impacting the health of their kids, specific to any area.”
Salo will stop by schools to speak with students and help them set goals and offer advice.
According to the USDA, only 7 percent of schools met all nutritional standards for their lunch program during the 2004-2005 school year. Salo says there are a lot of health studies out there, but not many where people are connecting with others.
“I really hope to be sort of the catalyst for incramental change as I pass through each community that I’m riding,” she said.
The tour kicks off Friday, when Salo will ride away from Bend. She plans to pedal about 50 miles each day when she’s on her bike, and wrap up the journey next spring in her hometown of Houghton, Michigan.
