This May, Californians will learn how to shop smart for a healthy start by taking part in Fruit and Veggie Fest events held at grocery stores in low-income areas throughout the state. Hosted by the Network for a Healthy CaliforniaRetail Program (Network), Fruit and Veggie Fest promotions highlight ways Californians can learn how to shop smart to improve their health and the health of their families. These events are part of a larger statewide effort to empower low-income families to be Champions for Change who make healthy, active living a priority.
Fruit and Veggie Fest events connect local farmers and neighborhood grocery stores with low-income community members around the many healthy benefits of fruits and vegetables, said Rosanna Oliva, Network for a Healthy California. With so many choices at the supermarket, its often hard for families to be certain they are picking the healthiest options. Through Fruit and Veggie Fest, the Network and our retail and produce industry partners throughout the state help thousands of low-income shoppers learn smart shopping strategies like choosing delicious and nutritious California-grown produce that can help them live healthier lives.
Fruit and Veggie Fest events are scheduled to take place at grocery stores across California, including stores in Chico, Compton, Costa Mesa, Exeter, Gilroy, Los Angeles, Oceanside, Oxnard, Perris, Riverside, Sacramento, Salinas, San Jose and Ukiah. Produce industry members, retailers, and others, who are interested in working with the Network for a Healthy California to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables to community members via participation in Fruit and Veggie Fest events are encouraged to contact Rosanna Oliva, Marketing Specialist, Network for a Healthy California – Retail Program at 916-449-5399
California is battling an obesity epidemic, with more than half of low-income residents ages 18 and above currently overweight or obese. Fruit and Veggie Fest is designed to engage low-income shoppers with local farmers and neighborhood grocery stores to work together toward a solution. At the events, shoppers take part in food demonstrations, sampling of California-grown produce, store tours, physical activity demonstrations, such as yoga and dancing, and other interactive activities. Shoppers learn from retailers, farmers, and public health experts how even small steps, like adding more fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks, can lead to big health improvements.
This is the Networks fourth year sponsoring Fruit and Veggie Fest. As part of this years program, the Network will encourage community members at each of the events to make or renew their commitments to healthy, active living. Shoppers will make their commitments in many ways: some will complete a commitment card to share how they shop smart for a healthy start, others will enter a shopping bag decorating contest, and still others will share their commitments on video.
Fruit and Veggie Fest events are just one example of how the Network for a Healthy CaliforniaRetail Program works with small and large retailers, produce industry partners and community based organizations across California to improve the health of low-income families. The Network also provides tips, newsletters, recipe cards and other materials to help retailers encourage shoppers to make informed food purchasing decisions.
Source: California Department of Public Health