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James S. Carman, MS, Cancer Prevention Nutrition Section, California Department of Health Services, P.O. Box 997413, MS 7204, 1616 Capitol Ave, Ste 74.516, MS 7204, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413, 916-449-5423, jcarman@dhs.ca.gov
The California 5 a Day Worksite Program conducted formative social marketing research to determine the best ways to increase fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity in California workplaces. Telephone interviews and focus groups with business leaders from small, medium, and large-sized employers and focus groups with low- and middle-income working women took place throughout the state. Three clear strategies emerged:
1. Improve access to healthy food and physical activity at workplaces;
2. Foster supportive work environments that encourage healthy lifestyle choices; and
3. Create state policies that bolster health promotion efforts at worksites.
The California 5 a Day Worksite Program is implementing and advancing these strategies through collaboration by:
Contracting with catering trucks to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and point of purchase messages to encourage consumption
Piloting healthy vending and foodservice choices among a variety of workplaces
Distributing community supported agricultural products to employees at their workplaces
Providing farmers markets at workplaces
Assisting employers with assessment tools and recommendations for improving their environments and making healthy choices more readily available
Delivering tools to help create supportive cultures and team environments around healthy nutrition and physical activity behaviors
In addition, a unique partnership with the California Senate Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness:
Recognized model healthy workplaces with the California Fit Business Award
Developed a policy agenda that has spawned legislation promoting healthy workplace environments
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Worksite, Environment
Related Web page: www.ca5aday.com
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.