The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is working with the Saginaw County Department of Public Health, the Bay County Health Department, Friends of the Bay City State Recreation Area and First Ward Community Center in the Fish Smart-Eat Smart project. Fish Smart-Eat Smart will provide people who eat local fish with information about the healthiest choices in the Saginaw Bay Watershed. Funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made this partnership possible.

On July 23, at Morley Plaza in downtown Saginaw, the First Ward Community Center once again will host the Fish Smart-Eat Smart Day in the Park. The event brings together people who like to eat fish, go fishing, or simply want to appreciate the Saginaw River. The day's activities will include children's games, tips about fishing and cooking fish, and much more. A free fish lunch will be provided. Tickets and information about the event are available at the First Ward Community Center, 1410 N. 12th St. in Saginaw or by calling (989) 753-0411.

This partnership will reach out to a wide variety of community members, including people who fish the river, young children, and those who provide health care with a simple message: Fish are part of a healthy diet - when the fish are low in chemical contamination. Choose the fish your family eats wisely - in other words - Fish Smart-Eat Smart.

For more information about the Fish Smart-Eat Smart project, contact the Michigan Department of Community Health at 1-800-648-6942 or one of the local partner agencies.