“How to Grow Healthy Kids” Campaign Utilizes Texts

Have you seen the billboards or bus ads around town with the headline “How to Grow Healthy Kids”? Wondering what that’s all about?

Mass in Motion Kids is excited to share this media campaign targeted towards parents of children ages 2 to 12, called “How to Grow Healthy Kids”. It’s actually the first in the state to use text messaging to provide tips about healthy food and drinks, exercise and proper rest from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Parents will also receive weekly texts about promotions at local grocery stores and events happening in New Bedford. Parents shouldn’t receive more than four texts a week.

The ads have been up for about two weeks now – and we’ve even distributed flyers around town at WIC, GNBCHC, Child care programs, and local businesses. But we need your help to spread the word to make use of this exciting technology.

Parents can join by, texting “SNACK” to 877-877 for messages in English and “BOCADOS” for messages in Spanish. Data and message rates may apply – so, each text that is sent counts as one text on your data plan; if you have unlimited texting there is nothing to worry about! People can text STOP to 877-877 anytime to discontinue the service.

Please share this with your colleagues, clients, friends, and family. It’s friendly, easy to do, and a new way to reach parents!

The advertising campaign is scheduled to run through October, but the text messages to parents will continue eight weeks after they join. Visit http://massinmotionnewbedford.org/ for more information.