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August 18, 2010
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Act Now to Support Healthy Communities As the legislative year comes to a close, now is the time to reach out to your legislators to improve healthy eating and active living in
SB 1255 (Padilla), which would have eliminated the sale of sports drinks in public schools, was blocked last week in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
While it might be understandable to hold a measure in committee that created cost pressures upon our schools during these difficult fiscal times, that was not the case with SB 1255 (Padilla). Research has shown that schools did not lose revenues from the implementation of much more sweeping nutrition standards several years ago. When junk food and sodas were removed from the vending machines at schools, students simply purchased healthier alternatives. Decreases in the sale of junk food and unhealthy beverages were compensated for by increases in the sale of healthier alternatives. That's why there was no opposition to the measure from the education community. Yet, the Assembly Appropriations Committee held it on the Suspense File claiming high costs for school districts. Something does not add up. We need your help in asking the Legislature to stand up to the deep-pockets of the Beverage Industry. Children do not need the empty calories and refined sugar in sports drinks. ACTION: Please help us tell the Legislature to stop playing politics with the health of our children and request that they remove SB 1255 from the Assembly Appropriations Committee Suspense File. Please take action by August 20, 2010.
ACTION: Contact your representatives and support the passage of AB 2147 to ensure that all California's children, particularly the most vulnerable, benefit from the Safe Routes to School program. AB 537 (Arambula) supports Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) acceptance at farmers markets and flea markets. AB 537 would make food sold at farmers markets more readily available for purchase by consumers who use food stamps, by allowing the state to designate by 2012 an organization authorized by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate an EBT acceptance system on behalf of produce sellers in markets if none exists. This legislation will increase access to fresh healthy foods, particularly for communities of color, who often live in neighborhoods where nutritious food is expensive and inaccessible. ACTION: Contact your representatives and support the passage of AB 537 to eliminate the barriers that prevent many of our state's neediest consumers from taking advantage of the nutritional alternatives available at farmers' markets. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to pass AB 2084 (Brownley) to the Senate floor. AB 2084 is a California Food Policy Advocates-sponsored bill that would improve the nutrition standards for beverages served in licensed child care facilities. Currently, licensing standards for nutrition are minimal. Licensed child care centers must follow the Child and Adult Care Food Program meal pattern, which means that foods must be served from certain basic food groups. However, the standards are silent on nutritional quality.
ACTION: Contact your Senators to support the passage of AB2084 to promoting healthy diets in early childhood settings, where a child's life-long taste preferences are established.
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********************************** 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, PolicyLink, Prevention Institute, Samuels & Associates, and Public Health and Law Policy. HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER The Strategic Alliance is currently engaged in building a broad and diverse statewide membership. To join or for more information, please visit us on the Web, www.eatbettermovemore.org, or contact Shakirah Simley at 510.444.7738 or Shakirah@preventioninstitute.org. And even if you're already a member, please forward this message on to your colleagues so we can continue to strengthen our coalition. Thank you!
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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