Local Policy Highlighted in Strategic Alliance Web Forum

On January 18th, the Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments held its second interactive web forum which showcased local and state policy efforts to improve nutrition and physical activity environments throughout California.

Panelists Address Local Policy

During the panel on local policy, participants heard from three experts who have been instrumental in instituting local change.  Leah Fraser of Latino Health Access addressed efforts to create land use policy that establishes parks and greenspace in Santa Ana.  Edie Jessup of Fresno Metro Ministries spoke about her work with the Fresno Health Department’s Built Environment and Food Policy Council to address community food concerns, including the diminishing access to supermarkets in low-income neighborhoods. more..

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Starting Earlier-Preventing Overweight in Early Childhood:  A Forum for California Leaders and Decision Makers

On February 7th, over seventy key leaders, early childhood experts, advocates, and frontline representatives gathered at a day-long forum organized by the California WIC Association (CWA).  The purpose of the forum was to begin to address the issues which put our youngest children at risk for childhood obesity – and how we can strengthen prevention through collaborative policy efforts over the next five years. The turnout was strong, and the energy and “buzz” in the room was high!

more..

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In the News

Sugary Syrup fuels spat over school food

The California State Board of Education is set to vote on Thursday, March 9th on temporary, emergency regulations to implement SB 281.  The bill, adopted in 2005, was initially worded so that school districts would receive funding only for the fresh fruits and vegetables they added to the School Breakfast Program, but, at the last moment, the word “fresh” was replaced with “nutritious,” allowing school districts to offer dried, frozen and canned produce.  Because of this language change, the Department of Education’s regulations will allow school districts to serve canned fruit in light syrup, a source of additional sugar for school children. more..

Women’s Health Initiative Fat Reduction Study

The Women’s Health Initiative garnered national headlines on February 8th 2006 with the publication of a multiyear study that questions the benefits of a diet low in total fat on decreasing women’s risk for cancer and heart disease.

The news coverage of the study, however, oversimplified the findings. The study diet focused on reducing total fat and did not differentiate between “good” fats, such as those found in vegetable oils and fish, and “bad” fats such as saturated fats and the trans-fats associated with processed foods.  In addition, while study participants were asked to cut fat out of their diet, they were not required to follow a healthy diet. more..

San Jose Mercury News Op-Ed

Strategic Alliance members recently shared their outrage with the closing of the only grocery store in downtown San Jose in an Op-Ed published on February 13th by the San Jose Mercury News.

Ellen Wu, a Strategic Alliance Steering Committee Member and Executive Director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network and Amor Santiago, director of Healthy Silicon Valley discuss the implications of grocery store closures on low-income communities and communities of color, and recommend immediate actions and long-term strategies San Jose elected officials can take to ensure that all residents have access to healthy and affordable food.  more..

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Upcoming Events

Food Politics Lecture Series at UC Berkeley

Wednesdays, February 8- April 5, 2006

The UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy and the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism is hosting an 8-week lecture series regarding food policy in the United States.  Moderated by Marion Nestle, author of Food Politics and What to Eat, the series will take place every Wednesday at 4 p.m. in room 250 at the Goldman School of Public Policy. The speakers are some of the most prominent names in food policy, including policy experts, public health professionals, psychologists, restauranteers, and photojournalists. To see a complete list of lecturers, please refer to this flyer.

Rebuilding California: Designs for Healthy Living from City to Farm conference in Oakland

March 29-30, 2006

CA Public Health Association-North's 2006 Annual Meeting will focus on connections between urban and rural community design and the growing “dis-eases” of obesity and physical inactivity, respiratory illnesses, and reactions to other environmental exposures. Special attention is given to urban and rural commonalities and differences, and to the preservation of one of California most valuable resources--its agricultural production. You may view the program and register on CPHA-N's website, http://www.cphan.org/annual.html.

Healthy Parks, Healthy Communities training in Santa Ana

April 5, 2006

Latino Health Access and the Trust for Public Land are pleased to invite you to attend the Healthy Parks, Healthy Communities training workshop in Santa Ana.  This training provides participants action-oriented information about:

• Reversing the critical lack of parks, playgrounds, community gardens and recreational opportunities in low-income communities of color
• Addressing high rates of obesity, diabetes and related health concerns among Latinos and African Americans
• Increasing public funds for parks, playgrounds, community gardens and other physical activity opportunities

For more information, please refer to the Park Inequities in California Fact Sheet . Additional information about the training can be obtained by contacting Leah Fraser of Latino Health Access at 714-542-7792 or lfraser@latinohealthaccess.org. Please use the registration form provided.  For information about registration or a scholarship application contact Marybeth Vergara of the Trust for Public Land at 213-380-4233 ext. 17 or Marybeth.vergara@tpl.org.

CleanMed in Seattle, WA

April 18-20, 2006

CleanMed 2006, the nation's largest environmental conference for the health care industry, will take place in Seattle, WA on April 19-20. The agenda also includes a special pre-conference one-day workshop on April 18th on Healthy Food in Healthcare.  Leaders along the entire health care supply chain will be in attendance to learn the latest trends in safe products, green buildings, healthy food service, waste prevention and other health care industry efforts to protect the health of people and the environment. CleanMed 2006 is sponsored by Health Care Without Harm, Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, Catholic Health Initiatives, Kaiser Permanente, Broadlane, Premier, Inc., MedAssets and The Consorta Group.  For more information, or to register for CleanMed, visit www.cleanmed.org.

Marion Nestle Book Signing in Berkeley and Los Angeles

April 25, 2006 4:00pm; Berkeley

May 16, 2006 2:00pm; Los Angeles

Join Strategic Alliance for a conversation and book signing with Marion Nestle, renowned nutrtionist and author of Food Politics, as she presents her newest book, What to Eat?.

RSVP Required

ENACT 2006: Nutrition & Activity Day in Sacramento

May 2, 2006

This fourth annual event is being sponsored by the Strategic Alliance, National Council of La Raza, California Park and Recreation Society and California Center for Civic Participation & Youth Development. ENACT is a day for parents, dieticians, physical activity advocates, students, parks & recreation volunteers and staff, health professionals, business leaders and others concerned about nutrition and physical activity to educate legislators about public policy solutions to the obesity epidemic. The day includes a training and legislative visits. To learn more about ENACT 2006, visit the ENACT 2006 website or contact Jessica at jreich@cfpa.net.  Is your organization interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Manal at manal@preventioninstitute.org.

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Resources

General Plans and Zoning: A Toolkit on Land Use and Health

The Land Use & Health Program of the Public Health Law Program is pleased to announce the release of its new publication: General Plans and Zoning: A Toolkit on Land Use  and Health. This rich resource explains, in lay language, the intricacies of the land use planning process in California communities. Topics covered include: 

• What is Land Use?
• The Connection between Land Use and Health
• Why and How Land Use is Regulated
• The whats, wheres, hows and whys of General Plans and Zoning
• How to effectively engage in the planning process in your community

Model language, a glossary, and a resource guide are also included.  For more information, go to www.healthyplanning.org, or email hkinsman@phi.org.

CANFit Web Training

Want to help youth in your program to "Do More, Watch Less?"  Stay tuned for a CANFit web-based training on how to implement the "Do More, Watch Less" tool in your after school program.  The training will be available mid-March at www.canfit.org.  The tool is available now at www.dhs.ca.gov/obesityprevention.  Any questions, contact CANFit staff at info@canfit.org or 800-200-3131.

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WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility. Current SteeringCommittee members are: California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit), California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA), California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) , California Project LEAN, California WIC Association (CWA), Child Care Food Program Roundtable, Latino Health Access, Prevention Institute, Samuels & Associates, and YMCA of the East Bay.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership. To join or for more information, please visit us onthe Web, www.eatbettermovemore.org, or contact Sana Chehimi at 510.444.7738 or Sana@preventioninstitute.org. And even if you're already a member, please forward this message on to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition. Thank you!

The Strategic Alliance is supported by funding from The California Endowment.

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity--from a focus on individual choice and lifestyle, towards one of environment and corporate and government responsibility.

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