NORWICH – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County has implemented a new program that works with Eat Smart New York to encourage community organizations to reduce the availability of sugary drinks available to employees.

A state grant of $30,000 was made available for the “Don’t Drink Your Sugar” program. Funding was awarded to the Cornell Cooperative Extension through the New York State Healthy Heart Program in January and additional funds were made available through an amendment in the New York Community Gardens Project Grant to help educators carry out their mission.

Sugary Drink Educator and Program Coordinator Jacky Knoll-Carr has been closely working with Eat Smart educators, visiting local employers, agencies and school districts to discuss the effects of sugary drinks to a daily diet. The goal, she said, is to have organizations and their employees look for drink alternatives other than what’s available in the soda machine.