MERIL has been awarded as a “Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite.”

The City of St. Joseph Health Department WIC announced the accomplishment of MERIL last week as an employer joining a growing number of Missouri organizations being awarded a Missouri Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award.

WIC staff presented the award to MERIL Wednesday in a brief recognition ceremony.

MERIL was recognized by the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The city said MERIL’s application to the coalition was accepted based on a pro-active approach to encourage and support mothers making a healthy choice in infant feeding.

“Lactation support programs are a growing trend in businesses today as a means of improving family services to employees. Employers that provide lactation support see a positive impact on their business’s bottom line in the way of improved employee retention, lower absenteeism, higher morale, greater productivity, and reduced health care costs. Breastfeeding friendly employers provide time, space and other benefits to maintain breastfeeding after a mom returns to work,” the city said in a news release.