BANNEKER RECOGNIZED AS AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION FIT-FRIENDLY WORKSITE

Worksites take steps to decrease healthcare expenses,
increase productivity
NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI – Banneker Industries has been recognized as a PlatinumLevel
Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees
eat better and move more.
“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Banneker. We are
honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a
Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Cheryl Snead, CEO and Founder of
Banneker. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible.
This will benefit our employees’ health and produce even more positive results for our
worksite overall.”
Platinum-level employers:
 Offer employees physical activity options in the workplace.
 Increase healthy eating options at the worksite.
 Promote a wellness culture in the workplace.
 Implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in
the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.
 Demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.
Banneker has worked to increase the wellness culture by encouraging on-site gym
activities, participation in off-site community walks and education about healthy eating.
Banneker also hosts an Annual Health & Wellness Fair for all employees. This fair
includes blood pressure checks, information on healthy lifestyles and wellness
giveaways.
The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American
workforce by helping employers make their employees’ health and well-being a priority.
American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of
healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those numbers are
rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their
lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as
obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual
medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to
change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the
lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.
For more information about the Fit-Friendly Worksites program and how it’s helping to
improve the health of Americans by focusing on the workplace) or visit
heart.org/worksitewellness.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to building healthier lives, free of
cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our mission drives everything we do. To improve
the lives of all Americans, we provide public health education in a variety of ways. We
team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public
health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these
diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary
organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us,
call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.
About Banneker Industries
Banneker offers integrated logistics and supply chain management services to a broad
spectrum on governmental and commercial customers, including value- added
warehousing, procurement, inspection, kitting, distribution, packaging and fulfillment,
onsite services and supply chain consulting. It is one of the leading disadvantaged,
minority and woman-owned small businesses in the country. For
more information, visit www.banneker.com.