San Francisco Non-Profit Recognized as a National Leader in Fighting Childhood Obesity

SAN FRANCISCO, April 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children's Council of San Francisco has been recognized as a national leader in the fight against childhood obesity. Let's Move! Child Care will honor Children's Council's Health and Nutrition Manager Amy Nelson during its national recognition event on Thursday, April 23 in Las Vegas.

Children's Council is one of 16 honorees nationally – and the only from the Bay Area – selected from more than 160 child care providers and community-based organizations that were nominated. To be eligible, organizations must participate in the federal Child Care Food Program, which gives financial support to child care providers for serving healthy meals and snacks.

In San Francisco, Children's Council serves about 250 family child care homes through the Food Program. That adds up to over 2,000 children who are eating healthier food. And since many children consume 50% to 75% of their daily calories while in child care, that has a big impact on their health.

"Our immediate goal is to develop healthy habits for young children," said Nelson. "But our work also includes education for child care providers and parents. That's the key to changing the health of a community."

For this national recognition, Let's Move! Child Care sought out organizations going above and beyond participation in the Food Program. Children's Council stood out for its comprehensive approach to childhood health and nutrition.

For example, child care providers can attend free classes to learn about reading food labels, eating seasonally, and cooking with whole grains. Children's Council runs the Healthy Apple Program, which supports child care providers with one-on-one coaching, goal-setting, and best practices in nutrition and physical education for young children.  

Children's Council also partners with 18 Reasons, a community cooking school, to offer a regular series called Cooking Matters, where parents and children learn the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Each week families prepare and eat a healthy meal together.  

Amy Nelson takes a big picture view of her team's work. "Our program is all about creating better options for children and families," she says. "We give people practical ways to make physical activity and nutritious food a part of daily life for themselves and the children they care for."

Click here to learn more about Children's Council's Health and Nutrition programs.

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SOURCE Children’s Council of San Francisco