This Network for A Healthy California has been developed by the Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section (CPNS) of California Department of Health Services (CDHS) and is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture’s USDA Food Stamp Program, an equal opportunity provider and employer through the Network for A Healthy California. For information about the California Food Stamp Program, please call 1-800-952-5253.

The mission of the Network is to increase innovative partnerships building a strong Collaborative of stakeholders in the Sierra-Cascade Region, so that large numbers of low-income Californians are empowered to adopt healthy eating and physical activity patterns as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Objectives of the Collaborative are to:

• Build action-oriented, non-traditional partnerships with stakeholders concerned with food security and obesity prevention.
• Mobilize communities to advance issues and policies aimed at permanent/sustainable environment and systems changes.
• Develop regionalized communication strategies creating media attention keeping these issues before the public, community leaders and policymakers.
• Enhance funding opportunities to maximize partners’ ability to compete with or redirect the marketing of packaged snack and fast food.
• Use media and advocacy efforts influencing school, community, faith and business leaders in policymaking.

Program Goals include:

• Increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables to recommended daily servings. For more information, Visit My Pyramid
• Increasing daily physical activity to a minimum of 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes a day for children.
• Increasing Californian’s food security, including participation in Federal nutrition assistance programs, especially Food Stamps.

To reach these goals, the Network for A Healthy California coordinates and implements the Network for A Healthy California Campaigns, including the Power Play! Campaign; Retail Program; Be Active! Worksite Program; Mini-Grant opportunities; media events and educational presentations. The Network coordinates efforts with local food stamp offices, local incentive award (LIA) programs, charitable organizations, policy makers, businesses, community leaders, as well as, those with expertise in nutrition and physical activity with the vision of greatly enhancing the region’s collective resources and potential impact. For additional nutrition education and resources please check out resources on our Links page.

The Food Stamp Program provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact your Network staff at (530) 345-2483 or send us an e-mail by using the Contact Us page on this website.

Nutrition Network News

Aug 23, 2007
Los Angeles County Officials Outline Intervention Plan Amid Rising Diabetes, Obesity Rates

Aug 23, 2007
Maine Governor Promotes More Outdoor Activities for Kids To Prevent Obesity

Aug 23, 2007
School Lunch Report Card Finds Nutrition Varies Widely Across U.S. Districts