Children's Power Play! Campaign How to Participate

The Network for a Healthy California — Children's Power Play! 11 regional coordinators work with qualifying schools, community youth organizations, farmers’ markets, supermarkets, restaurants/food service operations, the media, and other community organizations and individuals concerned with children’s health.

These are just some of the ways Children’s --Power Play! Campaign partners can help improve the health of children in their communities:

Schools: Conduct activities from the fourth- or fifth-grade version of the School Idea & Resource Kit; promote fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria; disperse information to parents; and organize taste testings, guest speakers, field trips, and other interactive school-centered events. Schools also may wish to use the Harvest of the Month tool kit.

Community Youth Organizations (CYOs): Use the Community Youth Organization Idea & Resource Kit with after-school, weekend and summer programs; organize fruit & vegetable oriented field trips and taste testings; disperse information to parents; and serve healthy fruits and vegetables with meals and snacks.

Farmers' Markets: Use ideas from the Idea & Resource Kits (see above); conduct special fruit and vegetable games and contests for kids; provide take-home materials for kids and parents; conduct cooking demonstrations, taste tests, and market tours; offer farmers and market managers as guest speakers for schools and youth groups; provide fruit and vegetable donations to schools/youth groups; accept WIC coupons and EBT cards at your market to help low-income families purchase fruits and vegetables; and join forces with other Children’s — Power Play! partners to encourage more low-income families to visit the farmers’ market.

Supermarkets: Participate in the Network for a Healthy California Retail Program’s merchandising and promotional activities; offer produce-focused tours, guest speakers, and fruit and vegetable donations to schools and youth groups; conduct contests for children, with nutrition and physical activity-oriented themes and prizes; and host food demos featuring kid-friendly fruit and vegetable recipes.

Food Services/Restaurants: Offer fruit and vegetable focused tours, guest speakers, and fruit and vegetable donations to schools and youth organizations; offer a selection of healthy, affordable fruits and vegetables on your children’s and adult menus; and conduct contests and giveaways focused on fruits and vegetables and physical activity.

Media: Air Network for a Healthy California public service announcements on television and radio stations; publicize Children's Power Play! Campaign activities; bring the issues of childhood overweight, nutrition, and physical activity to your viewers, readers, and listeners on a regular basis.