Featured Stories

IOM releases strongest school nutrition standards to date

The National Academies' Institute of Medicine (IOM) released new nutrition standards for school vending machines, a la carte and other foods sold outside of school meals. The IOM standards are far stronger than current state and national standards and represent a significant step forward.

The Rapid Response Network will issue additional information on the new guidelines to help guide CA school nutrition advocates in speaking to the media and writing letters to the editor. To join the Rapid Response network, please email sana@preventioninstitute.org.

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ENACT Advocacy Day 

A reminder that ENACT Advocacy Day is quickly approaching!  Join fellow advocates on May 15th in Sacramento to educate legislators about public policies that can improve eating and activity environments for all citizens.  ENACT 2007: Nutrition and Activity Day is designed for everyone to participate – parents, community leaders, and health, recreation, and transportation professionals.  The day will include a morning training and legislative visits in the afternoon.  There is no charge to participate and travel scholarships are available.

To register for ENACT 2007 or apply for a travel scholarship, please visit the ENACT 2007 website or contact Alyssa Walker at 530-297-6000.

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Charting the Course: A National Map of Groups Creating Healthy Food and Activity Environments

Funded by: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Prevention Institute is conducting a national scan of coalitions and organizations engaged in policy and environmental change.  Our goal is to create a map that will highlight groups working to improve opportunities for healthy eating and activity and draw attention to grassroots coalitions engaged in advocacy and organizing to improve conditions in low income neighborhoods and communities of color.  If you represent an organization engaged in policy, advocacy and environmental change, would like to contribute ideas for this effort, or if you would like more information, please contact Manal J. Aboelata, MPH, Program Director at manal@preventioninstitute.org or 323.296.5750. Note: We announced this project earlier this year, and are following up with groups now.  Thank you to all of you who have already contributed to this effort.

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In the News

500 Million in Physical Education, Arts Funding in CA

On Tuesday, April 24, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell announced that California schools will receive $500 million in arts, music, and physical education grants for professional development, equipment, and supplies.

According to Dr. Toni Yancey of the UCLA School of Public Health, investing in teacher training would be the wisest use for this one-time boost in physical education funding, ensuring that "instructors are armed with the innovative new programs that can make PE active, enjoyable and sustainable."

Read Dr. Yancey's full commentary.

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Californians Overwhelmingly Support Mandatory Menu Labeling

The California Center for Public Health Advocacy released findings of a Field Research Corporation poll showing that the large majority of Californians support requiring fast food and chain restaurants to post nutritional information on menus and menu boards, a policy identical to state legislation currently being considered (SB 120, Padilla/Midgen).

The poll also found that an overwhelming number of Californians are unable to identify from among typical fast-food and restaurant menu items those with the fewest calories, or the least salt, or the most fat, or the most calories. read more

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You Are What You Grow

Michael Pollan’s recent article in the New York Times Magazine explains why the Farm Bill is a misnomer.  “…In truth, it is a food bill and so needs to be rewritten with the interests of eaters placed first. Yes, there are eaters who think it in their interest that food just be as cheap as possible, no matter how poor the quality. But there are many more who recognize the real cost of artificially cheap food — to their health, to the land, to the animals, to the public purse. read more

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Resources

Prevention Institute Text Published!

Prevention Institute is proud to announce the official publication of Prevention is Primary: Strategies for Community Wellbeing. Edited by Prevention Institute and Vivian Chavez of San Francisco State University, Prevention Is Primary aims to move practitioners from the margins of prevention to its core by defining the elements of quality prevention efforts, identifying best practices, and illustrating the application of prevention principles in a multitude of settings. Learn more about Prevention is Primar, including the built environment and nutrition chapters.

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Announcements

Eliminating Childhood Obesity:  Best Practices for Communities and Schools

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and Tavis Smiley Presents have partnered to host a town hall meeting in Oakland Friday, May 11th (10 a.m.- noon) on Eliminating Childhood Obesity: Best Practices for Communities and Schools. 

This meeting will explore effective strategies for working together and solutions to reshaping schools and communities to be healthier places for our children, particularly among children at greatest risk.  Please RSVP by Friday May 4th: oakland@rwjf.org.  For more information, click here.

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Upcoming Events

California Hunger Action Coalition’s 10th Annual Hunger Action Day

Tues, May 8, Sacramento and Los Angeles

ENACT 2007: Nutrition and Activity Day

Tues, May 15, Sacramento

School Wellness Conference

October 1-2, Anaheim

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Thanks for reading!  The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership.  If you were forwarded this e-mail and want to receive your own copy in the future, please click here or e-mail Sana@preventioninstitute.org.  And if you’re already a member, please forward this message to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition.  Thank you!

WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE?

The Strategic Alliance is reframing the debate on nutrition and physical activity away from a focus solely on individual choice and lifestyle towards one of environmental influences and corporate and government responsibility. Current Steering Committee 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, Partnership for the Public’s Health, Prevention Institute, Samuels & Associates, and YMCA of the East Bay.

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 solely on individual choice and lifestyle, towards one of environmental influences and corporate and government responsibility.

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