Featured Stories

See you at the Strategic Alliance Members Meeting!

Only one week left until the 2007 California Childhood Obesity Conference!  Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the in-person Strategic Alliance Meeting.  Join members from around the state to share optimal strategies for creating healthier nutrition and physical activity environments. Those who are not attending the conference but who are in the area are also welcome to attend. 

When:    Thursday, 6:00-7:30 pm

Where:   Marquis Northeast  

              Anaheim Marriott

              700 W. Convention Way

              Anaheim, CA

RSVP:  Jamila Edwards at jamila@preventioninstitute.org or (510) 444-7738 x.334

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In the News

Weight is the Least of It

Arnell J. Hinkle, executive director of California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit) and a Strategic Alliance Steering Committee member, has written an article in the current issue of Youth Today newspaper entitled, Weight is the Least of It. The article describes how, when working with youth, the focus needs to be on healthy lifestyles, behaviors and environments rather than the numbers on the scale.  Ms. Hinkle writes, “So let’s forget about weight. Let’s focus instead on health – healthy eating and daily physical activity. That may mean changing the foods we (after-school and youth development program providers) offer, making sure that there’s more to do than sports and video games, and interrupting teasing and put-downs that focus on weight.”  To read the article, click here.  For more information on CANFit, a leading provider of adolescent nutrition and physical activity training and technical assistance to after school and community based organizations, visit www.canfit.org.

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Resources

Toolkit to Expand Food Access in Low-Income Areas

The Land Use & Health project is pleased to announce a newest publication, Economic Development and Redevelopment: A Toolkit on Land Use & Health.  This toolkit is a primer for public health advocates who want to work with local government to stimulate the development of new food retail or to expand food access in low-income neighborhoods. You can download a free copy at www.healthyplanning.org.

Land Use and Health project staff is available to conduct trainings and provide technical assistance to public health advocates and local government officials.  In many cases, these trainings are free of charge. Visit the Land Use and Health website for more information about training and technical assistance and to sign up for our newsletter.  You may also give us a call at (510) 302-3308.  We look forward to hearing from you and consulting on your local land use and planning needs.

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Announcements

Help Create a Balanced Farm Bill—Sign on Today!

Today, Wednesday, January 17th, is the last day to publicly sign-on to the Farm and Food Policy Project’s joint declaration and report:  Seeking Balance in U.S. Farm and Food Policy.

As the 110th United States Congress gets underway, it will write a new farm bill that addresses such critical issues as agricultural production, food and nutrition assistance, rural development, renewable energy, equity and conservation practices. The Farm and Food Policy Project (FFPP) is a collaborative of diverse organizations, made up of agriculture, anti-hunger, faith-based, public health, rural, and conservation groups, united   by the common vision of a more sustainable food and agricultural system for the United States.

Today is FFPP's January 17 deadline to gather as many sign-ons to their document as possible before the declaration launches publicly on January 22nd at the National Press Club in Washington DC.  For more information visit: www.farmandfoodproject.org. To join the growing list of organizations supporting this statement, contact Jessie Dowling at info@farmandfoodproject.org or 202-543-1300.

Youth Engagement Workshops

The California Department of Health Services California Project LEAN, School Health Connections, and the California Obesity Prevention Initiative are collaborating with the Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section to offer nine workshops throughout the state on youth engagement. The workshops will provide training to adult leaders on how to teach nutrition and physical activity principles to high school-aged youth (ages 14-18); how to engage youth in finding solutions to the nutrition and physical activity challenges in their schools and communities; and how/where to access the tools and resources needed to successfully engage youths in nutrition and physical activity efforts.  

Space is limited.  For more information about the training locations and dates, please contact Noralee Cole at 916/552-9907 or ncole@dhs.ca.gov. 

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Upcoming Events

California Obesity Conference

January 23-26, 2007, Los Angeles, CA

New Partner's Smart Growth Conference

February 8-10, 2007, Los Angeles, CA

Healthy Hospital Food Workshop

February 23, 2007, 9:30AM-1:30PM, Los Angeles, CA

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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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