Step One Foods’ Healthy Hearts for Heroes Project

Original publish date: 04/10/2015

At Step One Foods we love firefighters, especially our local fire department in St. Louis Park. So it was troubling to learn the details of their cardiovascular risks.

The single largest occupational hazard for firefighters (FFs) is not trauma, but rather cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 45% of on-duty deaths. Additionally, for every on-duty firefighter death, there are an estimated 17 non-fatal cardiovascular disease events.

Although responding to a fire is associated with significant physical, emotional and mental stress, it is the presence of underlying cardiovascular disease risk factors that disproportionately contributes to firefighter mortality. 

We were determined to help stop the number one on-the-job killer of these heroes. We found the perfect partner to help us develop a unique demonstration project right up the street. Our own St. Louis Park FD has been a leader in developing and implementing firefighter wellness initiatives for well over a decade.

The results of our project exceeded our wildest expectations: we achieved an 18% reduction in firefighter cardiovascular disease risk in just 30 days. 

Step One Foods two-per-day program is an ideal fit for firefighters who have demanding and unpredictable work schedules. And it turns out firefighters really like the our foods, especially the pancakes and chocolate bars.

We met with US Senator Al Franken and the Minnesota State Fire Marshall to discuss the results and ways to roll this program out to fire departments throughout Minnesota and the country. 

Learn more about our work: 

• Healthy Hearts for Heroes: Worksite Nutrition Intervention
• Firefighter Program Overview
• Our trip to Washington DC to present at the Congressional Wellness Caucus