About Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section
Network for a Healthy California

Mission/Vision:

The Mission of the Network for a Healthy California (Network) is to create innovative partnerships that empower low-income Californians to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity and food security with the goal of preventing obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases.

Program Description and Key Functions:

The Network represents a statewide movement of local, state and national partners collectively working toward improving the health status of low-income Californians through increased fruit and vegetable consumption and daily physical activity.  Multiple venues are used to facilitate behavior change in the homes, schools, worksites, and communities of low-income Californians to create environments that support fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.

The Network works with Local Incentive Awardees (LIAs) that represent almost 100 local agencies in a variety of different community channels, including 37 low resource school districts, 26 local health departments, 10 county offices of education,
6 public colleges and universities, 4 Indian tribal organizations, 2 city governments, 2 First Five  Commissions, 2 cooperative extension agencies, as well as sister programs within the California Department of Public Health, park and recreation departments, and non-profit organizations.

Local assistance projects are supported by a statewide infrastructure of eleven Regional Networks and targeted campaigns and programs to promote fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity.  These include the Be Active! Worksite Program, the Retail Program, Harvest of the Month, the Children’s Power Play! Campaign, and interventions for special populations including Latinos and African Americans.  In addition, the Network contracts with the California Association of Food Banks to conduct food stamp outreach through the California Food Stamp Program Access Improvement Plan.

The services provided by the Network consist of the following:

• Community interventions funded through over 160 local assistance contracts with a variety of local governments and community based organizations.
• Staff support for statewide public private partnerships, planning and administration, including resource development.
• Research and evaluation that supports interventions.
• Media and supermarket interventions.
• Special projects of statewide significance to promote systems and environmental change within USDA parameters.
• Training and technical assistance to Network grantees and LIAs.

Target Population:

USDA requires that Network programs and funding be targeted only to food-stamp eligible populations and, with formal waiver approval, other low-income households with incomes at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level within approved census tract locations and community sites.

Key Partners:

American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, California Center for Research on Women & Families, California Dept. of Education, California Dept. of Food and Agriculture, California Dept. of Social Services, California Elected Women’s Association for Education and Research, California Medical Association Foundation, Center for Civic Partnerships, Center for Collaborative Solutions, Produce for Better Health Foundation, Public Health Law Program, UC Davis Cooperative Extension, United Fresh Produce Association, Western Growers.

Recent Successes/Milestones:

• 2004: Launch of Harvest of the Month Tool Kit promoting a fruit or vegetable each month through classrooms, cafeterias, homes, farms, retail & media.
• 2004: 11 Regional Nutrition Networks and Collaboratives established and Food Stamp Access Improvement Plan approved by USDA.
• 2005: Released ‘The Economic Costs of Physical Inactivity, Obesity, and Overweight in California Adults: Health Care, Workers’ Compensation, and Lost Productivity’ report projecting $28 billion in preventable costs by 2005
• 2005: Launched Front Lines Campaign in TV, radio & outdoor media.
• 2005: Food Stamp Office Resource Kit released statewide.
• 2006: Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity & Obesity Prevention (CX3) rating complete and community indicators piloted by six local health departments.
• 2006: California Nutrition Network 10-year anniversary.
• 2006: California 5 a Day – For Better Health! Campaign receives Produce for Better Health Foundation National Excellence Award
• 2007: Launch of new Champions for Change brand identity for the Network and Champion Moms ad flight including grassroots pilot project with 575,000 low-income households in five counties.

Funding (Amount and Sources):

Principal funding is made possible by in-kind contributions from state and local governments that qualify for Federal Financial Participation reimbursement funding from the USDA Food Stamp Program.  Other funds are provided through annual appropriations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Prevention Block Grant.

FFY 2005-2006: $95,300,853 (approved)
FFY 2006-2007: $105,926,881 (approved)
FFY 2007-2008: $106,000,000 (estimated)