PRK On The Air: Fighting Fat And Losing Friendly’s

A Friendly's in West Springfield, MA. Photo: Flickr/Rusty Clark

It’s been a ripe week of food and fitness coverage on WBUR.

Here & Now reported on a new law in Finland called “Health In All Policies,” which asks legislators to consider how each of their decisions may impact residents’ health. For example, local officials are urged to plan developments that encourage people to exercise.  Does that mean bike lanes only? Listen in to find out.

Speaking of combatting obesity, the nation’s thinnest state is losing it’s edge. NPR reports on Colorado’s efforts to combat its growing waistline.

And finally, Friendly’s. Those who love those smiley-faced ice cream treats may be shedding a tear. NPR reports that the Wilbraham-based food restaurant chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday morning. So what does this mean for the Bickford’s, Denny’s and Cracker Barrel’s of the food world? Time will only tell.

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About

Associate Producer, Here & Now Most recently, Jessica worked as an associate producer at WBUR's daily local program, Radio Boston. Jessica moved to Boston in 2008 and has lived many places since leaving her native Texas. After graduating from college, Jessica worked as a federal employee, documentary film festival producer, oral historian, university teaching assistant, traveling saleswoman and klezmer musician. Her work and projects have appeared in The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, Bust, Barnard Magazine, National Public Radio, Public Radio International (PRI), and the BBC. Jessica's freelance radio work has received various awards including accolades from the Religion Newswriters Association and the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. As a Fulbright Scholar in El Salvador, Jessica collected and studied oral histories from the Jewish Community based in San Salvador. Jessica received her B.A. in political science from Columbia University’s Barnard College and her M.A. in history from Indiana University. She learned how to make radio from the phenomenal folks at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Jessica lives in Somerville with her husband, twin son and daughter, and two cats. To learn more about Jessica’s projects, both current and past, please visit www.jessicaalpert.com.

One thought on “PRK On The Air: Fighting Fat And Losing Friendly’s”

  1. Martha Sawnson

    Ah Friendly’s, open the door to the odor of rancid oil from years of clogging our arteries. Did they ever clean those restaurants? If they survive,it’s time for major renovations to both the buildings and menu.