Eighty-four local companies began the spring "eat well live well" challenge on Sunday, March 15. The nationally recognized challenge was showcased March 12 at the Fairport plant of LiDestri Foods, one of 149 employers that will participate in the Spring 2009 challenge that began March 15.

This is the third year that LiDestri Foods employees have taken part in "eat well live well." Executives of the company, which produces pasta sauces and salsas for national brands, say the program has been instrumental in improving employee health and morale.

Since the Rochester Business Alliance and Wegmans Food Markets began partnering in 2007 on a community-wide rollout of the program, more than 250 local employers have participated in one or more sessions of the challenge, which encourages wellness through exercise and healthy eating.

For more information about the "eat well live well" challenge, contact Colleen DiMartino at (585) 256-4627.

The community-wide rollout of "eat well live well" was launched by the RBA Healthcare Initiative, a program the Rochester Business Alliance began in 2006 in response to member company's concerns about rising health care costs. The group's purpose, as defined by the Rochester Business Alliance, is to bring business leaders together to find ways to promote wellness, enhance quality and improve access to health care while looking for efficiencies that will keep care affordable.