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April 2009 California Convergence eNewsletter - Nutrition in Schools |
| Dear California Convergence Participant, |
Welcome to the April issue of the California Convergence eNewsletter! This month's issue focuses on Nutrition in Schools. Advocates throughout the state are working on many aspects of increasing the availability of nutritious options in California's schools. This issue focuses on success seen in the Los Angeles and Oakland Unified School Districts.
Ideally, having access to healthy and nutritious foods should begin in childhood. Public schools, therefore, hold a unique opportunity to shape our children's views on healthy eating and living, and to provide them with healthy food and physical activity environments. With federal and state laws dictating what foods can be served to students some policy makers have recognized the ability the government has in influencing the availability of healthy options in schools. California has led the way in improving nutrition environments by passing laws that restrict the availability of competitive foods, those that are not on the school district menu's such as vending machine choices, and increasing the standards for what is considered to be healthy options. However, even with the passing of these and similar laws such as Senate Bills 12 and 965, many district leaders and community advocates have recognized the need to go above and beyond these standards.
Local advocates have partnered with school boards and district administrators to find ways of increasing nutrition standards with little or no cost to the school districts. By building strong partnerships among students, teachers, parents, and district administrators, nutrition standards are increasing in California's schools. While tough political climates, the threat of reduced funding, and the challenges in gathering community support creates real questions of sustainability, some districts have seen enormous success in policy change and have managed to demonstrate these changes are sustainable.
Below are highlights from two California public school districts that have seen success in increasing nutrition standards in their schools and the availability of healthier options. These stories show that while each district in this state has its unique challenges and opportunities, they share a common goal of creating healthier places for our children and their communities. Also below are a number of School Nutrition websites and resources you may find helpful, as well as California Convergence-related events and grant opportunities.
The theme of May's eNewsletter will be California Convergence: One Year Later. As we approach the Second Annual California Convergence Meeting this issue will be an opportunity to reflect on the successes we have celebrated in the past year and the opportunities we look forward to meeting in the coming months. If you would like your work to be highlighted in May's issue please contact us by responding to this email.
We encourage you to email us with your feedback, comments, or ideas for the California Convergence eNewsletter. Also, be sure to check out Ning where you can share resources, best practices, join the discussion boards, or simply network with other advocates working to improve food and physical activity environments. | |
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| Policy Change in the Los Angeles Unified School District |
Going Beyond Senate Bills 12 and 965
Funded by the California Endowment and the Rosalinde and Arthur Glibert Foundation, California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA) partnered with the Healthy School Food Coalition and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to begin a "School Nutrition Revolution." From 2002 and the marking of their first success, the district-wide passing of the Healthy Beverage Motion, this partnership has accumulated many accomplishments and has become a model district for the rest of the state. With over 40% of the district's 700,000 students either overweight or at risk of being overweight, CFPA and LAUSD have launched policies designed to challenge the epidemic. Starting with the Healthy Beverage Motion, the partnership has also passed the Obesity Prevention Motion and the Cafeteria Improvement Motion, policies that have since allowed for increased availability of foods with higher nutritional value and decreased availability of unhealthy options. These policies have provided an environment that encourages behavior change and teaches the importance of long-term health habits. Stemming from these policy changes the district has seen very real success in menu alterations, increased student support and participation, and changes to cafeteria structure and ambiance. As is common in this kind of district-wide change the development of strong partnerships was a necessity. CFPA and the district encouraged student involvement and created an environment that valued student opinions and input. This allowed for a stronger student voice and a better understanding from school administrators about how the cafeterias function from a student perspective. CFPA and the district also garnered a genuine commitment from school food services through education and have also seen true leadership arise from nutrition services personnel. The major challenge in sustaining this work is continued investment in healthier options, marketing, and educating administrators throughout the district in an environment where state support and funding for education, including school meals, is being drastically cut. On top of this challenge lie increased costs of health insurance for cafeteria workers and their families and the delicate balance between investing in employee's wellbeing and that of the students. Even with these hurdles just around the corner, CFPA and the LAUSD remain committed to leading the way in increasing nutrition standards for all of Los Angeles' students. If you would like to learn more about the Los Angeles Unified School District nutrition policies or the work of California Food Policy Advocates, please contact Matt Sharp at matt@cfpa.net. |
| Bringing Produce Stands to Oakland Schools |
More than two years ago the East Bay Asian Youth Center (EBAYC) received funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to find a sustainable way to bring produce stands to Oakland schools. Today, two Oakland elementary schools are benefiting from the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables through the Oakland Farm-to-Schools Network, a program that places small produce stands in school common areas to allow students, teachers, parents, and community members to purchase healthy, affordable options. With this success, the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is now partnering with EBAYC and other stakeholders throughout the region to expand the Farm-to-Schools Network (FTSN) to eight other Oakland schools this year and next, with an additional 15 to follow.
Like other districts throughout California, OUSD has recognized the importance of going above and beyond the standards set by the state in Senate Bills 12 and 965. Building on the success of EBAYC the district is seeing the opportunity to deliver locally grown produce to their students while creating a nutrition 'hub' for their community, a place where parents and community members can also access fresh fruits and vegetables. Ensuring locally grown produce is available to OUSD students and the community is a challenge, but partnering with stakeholders like EBAYC, Alameda County Nutrition Services, OUSD Department of Complementary Learning, Health for Oakland's People and Environment (HOPE), and students and parents creates confidence in the district that they can expand the success seen in the first two OFTSN schools.
One of the first challenges OUSD had was distribution. How does a school district deliver locally grown produce to its students with no additional funding, staff, infrastructure, or transportation? Jennifer LeBarre, the director of OUSD Nutritional Services, has led the way in answering these and many other sustainability questions. Partnering with farmers, OUSD chose to have the produce delivered to one location, the OUSD central warehouse. From there the produce is delivered to the schools in conjunction with their other regularl deliveries. This simple solution allows the farmers to bring prices down as they only have to deliver to one location, and it doesn't increase the schools cost as no extra personnel or delivery equipment is needed.
Once the produce is delivered to the schools it is sold at small stands at the end of the school day and continues through the after school program hours. This encourages students to visit the produce stands as they leave school thus taking their fresh fruits and vegetables home. It also allows parents to visit the stands as they pick their children up, and it encourages the children staying after school for sports or other activities to choose the healthier options while still on school grounds. To further encourage use of the produce stands, teachers at the first two OFTSN schools are handing out "Produce Bucks" as a reward for good behavior or academic performance that can be used to purchase fresh produce for free.
As the district and their partners move forward in expanding this success to the other 20+ Oakland schools, they understand the amount of work that lies ahead. However, by exercising patience and expanding partnerships, the district feels confident that the success will continue. If you would like to learn more about the success OUSD and their partners have achieved please contact Jennifer LeBarrre at Jennifer.LeBarre@ousd.k12.ca.us. |
| Nutrition in Schools - Resources |
Sweetwater Union High School - District Highlights VideoThe Sweetwater Union High School District is learning how to reinvent the school cafeteria by boosting sales while offering healthier options. Click here to view the video of this district's success highlights. Scroll down to the middle of the page and click on Reinventing the School Cafeteria. California Food Policy AdvocatesCalifornia Food Policy Advocates is a statewide public policy and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of low-income Californians by increasing their access to nutritious and affordable food. This website is an excellent resource for all advocates working in food and physical activity environments. Click here to learn more. Local School Wellness Policy Resource ListThis PDF contains an extensive list of resources that could be helpful for anyone working around improving nutrition environments in schools. It has links to sites that have information on everything from school wellness policies adopted by California public school districts to steps to take in evaluating the quality of nutrition environments in your local schools. Please click here to access the link. |
| California Convergence Events |
Project for Public Spaces 7th Annual International Public Markets ConferenceApril 24-26, 2009 - San Francisco The 7th International Public Market Conference will showcase the vital role markets play in reconnecting local economies and communities. Claudia Corchado of CCROPP, Merced County, will be speaking in a session moderated by Linda Shak, Program Manager for Prevention Institute. Click here to learn more about the Public Markets Program as well as the upcoming conference. ENACT Nutrition and Activity DayApril 29th, 2009 - Sacramento Nutrition and Activity Day is an opportunity for advocates from across the state to come together to highlight the need to improve healthy food and activity environments for all Californians. Join fellow advocates on as we share information with legislators about public policies that can improve opportunities for healthy eating and activity. ENACT Day is designed for everyone to participate - parents, community leaders, and health, recreation, and transportation professionals. Click here for more information. Unlocking the Playground: Achieving Equity in Physical Activity SpacesSeveral dates and locations between April and May, 2009
CPEHN would like to invite you to their spring convening, Unlocking the Playground: Achieving Equity in Physical Activity Spaces. This workshop will focus on the lack of safe spaces for our communities to be physically active, and what people across the state are doing on this important issue. Come hear about the experiences of local advocates and school personnel in opening up school facilities to create environments that promote health. To register, click here. Workshop Series - "Implementing SB 375: What Local Governments Need to Know about Climate Change Legislation"Several dates and locations between April and July, 2009 Last summer California Convergence successfully pushed for health considerations to be included in implementation decisions. Now we can help our local elected officials learn how to implement health considerations as well. The workshop series will be hosted by the Local Government Commission, the Governor's Office of Planning and Research and Senator Darrell Steinberg. Click here to learn more and to register. The 2009 SPARK Institutes Are Approaching...Reserve Your Spot Now!Several dates between April and July, 2009 - San Diego
It's getting to be that time again folks; time for Learning, Leadership and Laughter in the San Diego Sun! The '09 SPARK Institutes are shaping up to be another amazing experience for educators, and we look forward to seeing YOU in San Diego! To learn more about the SPARK Institutes or to register, please click here. You may also contact Lindsay Santoro atlsantoro@sparkpe.org, or 1-800-772-7573 ext. 2239. 2nd Annual California Convergence Meeting June 9th, 2009 On June 9th, 2009, Partnership for the Public's Health will once again convene community site leaders from around the state to come together to advance policy priorities. This 2nd Annual California Convergence Meeting will take place in Los Angeles and falls one day prior to the start of the 2009 Childhood Obesity Conference. The California Convergence Meeting will aim to address the following goals: - To take action to advance the priority policies among California Convergence communities and regions. - To share successes and promising strategies advanced by local communities and link sites with state advocates and experts. Due to space limitations, this meeting is being designed for site leaders and a small number of coalition members. If you are a coalition member, especially those involved in advancing joint use, healthy food retail or safety strategies in your community and you wish to attend, please contact your site leader. You may also visit Ning to learn more. 2009 Childhood Obesity ConferenceJune 10th-12th, 2009 The California Department of Public Health, California Department of Education and the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Robert C. and Veronica Atkins Center for Weight and Health are pleased to announce the 2009 Childhood Obesity Conference scheduled for June 9-12, 2009, at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles. This is the largest conference addressing the nation's childhood obesity epidemic. You may click here to learn more. |
| California Convergence - Grant Opportunities |
Request for Applications: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance
Deadline: April 23rd
The Development, Community, and Environment Division in EPAs Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation is seeking applications for technical
assistance from communities that want to incorporate smart growth in
their future development to meet environmental and other community
goals. Eligible entities are tribal, local, regional, and state
governments, and nonprofit organizations that have a demonstrated
partnership with a governmental entity. Click here for more.
Peaceful Pathways: Reducing Exposure to Violence
Deadline: December 31, 2009
Peaceful Pathways: Reducing Exposure to Violence is a special solicitation from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships. Through this solicitation, RWJF partners with diversity-focused funders and other local grant makers to fund projects to reduce violence in specific communities such as those defined by race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, sexual identity or rural/frontier location.
To learn more about this grant opportunity or to apply, click here.
Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation -- Improving Communities Grants
Deadline: Rolling
The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation supports programs that help to improve the quality of life in the communities served by the cruise industry and projects that help to meet the needs of economically disadvantaged populations. The Foundation's areas of emphasis include: 1) Civic and Community Development; 2) Educational Assistance and Training Programs; 3) Public Health Programs; and 4) Environmental Programs.
Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Proposals that incorporate partnerships with community groups and local organizations are encouraged.
Contact the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation directly for complete program information and application guidelines. |
| Climate Change - An Update from PHLP!! |
Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP) has just released An Action Plan for Public Health: Initial Recommendations for Involving Public Health in Climate Change Policy. This Action Plan represents an important assessment of the public health community's abilities to fully engage in climate change work and provides a set of preliminary recommended actions. It is a synthesis of the priorities and strategies developed during a one-day multi-disciplinary gathering where more than 150 participants exchanged ideas on how to better engage public health networks and agencies in climate change work. To read the report click here. | |
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Partnership for the Public's Health
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