Dec 09, 2011
Students Grossed Out by School Water Fountains
New California rules are meant to get school kids to drink fewer sugary drinks and more water. But many students don't want to drink out of public water fountains.

Dec 01, 2011
YMCA Adopting Healthy Policies for Youth
The Y.M.C.A., one of the nation’s largest child-care providers, intends to announce Wednesday that it is adopting new “healthy living standards,” including offering fruits, vegetables and water at snack time, increasing the amount of exercise and limiting

Nov 16, 2011
Congress pushes back on healthier school lunches
Congress wants to keep pizza and french fries on school lunch lines, fighting back against an Obama administration proposal to make school lunches healthier.

Nov 08, 2011
Harvesting the extras
The Community Assistance Network and a group of 4-H high schoolers have teamed up to help fight hunger in Del Norte County.

Nov 08, 2011
Banning Soda in Schools Ineffective
State bans on sugar-sweetened drinks in middle schools didn't have much impact on kids' overall consumption, researchers found.

Nov 08, 2011
Schools: Time is ripe for change
Community members are ready for change in the Del Norte County school system. That was the sentiment expressed by parents and business leaders during a School Board study session Monday night.

Oct 16, 2011
PD Editorial: Risks of an unregulated 'toxin': soda
Dr. Robert Lustig of UC San Francisco delivered an alarming message to a Santa Rosa audience on Thursday. It’s simply this: We’re killing ourselves. More specifically, we’re killing our kids. Our weapon of choice, he contends, is soda and fruit juice.

Oct 05, 2011
3 schools get money for healthy goodies
After years of trying, Del Norte County Unified School District has finally gained grant funding to provide fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks during the school day.

Oct 04, 2011
Fort Bragg High students enjoy new ‘hydration station’; other campuses also improve water access
Fort Bragg High School students are thrilled with a new “hydration station” in their student union.

Oct 03, 2011
Help Reduce Childhood Obesity: Rethink Your Student's Drink
In addition to offering your students healthier foods to eat, you can offer healthier drinks.

Aug 31, 2011
US teens, young men way over limit on sugary drinks
About half of the U.S. population drinks a sugar-sweetened beverage on any given day, with teenagers and young men consuming way more than recommended limits for staying healthy.

Aug 31, 2011
More county residents using food stamps
The number of people who receive food stamps in Sonoma County continues to grow at a steady rate, yet less than half of the county residents eligible for the federal program are enrolled.

Aug 18, 2011
$1 million grant will help fight obesity in Santa Rosa
A Sonoma County coalition that promotes healthy eating and physical activity has received a $1 million grant from Kaiser Permanente to continue tackling obesity in south Santa Rosa.

Aug 10, 2011
Sonoma County food: Haves and have nots
When you think of Sonoma County food, do you think of gourmet dining, wine pairings and exotic cheeses? Or do you think of hunger, junk food and obesity?

Aug 10, 2011
California leads nation in farmer's markets
The number of farmers markets in California grew 25.7 percent last year, making the state home to one out of 10 markets nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's latest tally.

Jul 26, 2011
Exclusive; Soda makers escalate attacks over obesity
U.S. public awareness campaigns about sugary soft drinks are under legal attack by beverage makers, which have sued New York City's health department and hit local governments with requests for documents on the science behind the initiatives.

Jul 14, 2011
Food bank seeks partners in meeting Lake County's needs
The executive director of the Redwood Empire Food Bank approached the Board of Supervisors this week to ask for assistance in forming new partnerships in the work of feeding the county's hungry.

Jun 17, 2011
CDC: Teens still drink milk, but one in four high school students drink soda every day
For those concerned about teens drinking too many sugary beverages, this may be good news: Water, milk and fruit juice are the drinks most likely to be consumed by high school students, not soda. Or so they say.

Jun 14, 2011
Humboldt CAN: Try to avoid the 'Summer Slump'
Summer break is almost here, which means sunny days and lots of spare time for children to get outside and play. But many times kids end up indoors playing video games, watching TV and snacking on unhealthy foods.

Jun 08, 2011
Sports Drinks & Energy Drinks for Children and Adolescents
A clinical report published in Pediatrics by the committee on nutrition and the council on sports medicine and fitness about the appropriateness of sports and energy drinks for kids.

Jun 06, 2011
Food Plate Icon Improvment from Pyramid
Nutrition and public policy expert Marion Nestle answers readers' questions in this monthly column written exclusively for The Chronicle.

Jun 06, 2011
Spring Break Projects
While students are away for spring break, two local schools’ kitchens are being readied to offer lunchtime salad bars. When the work is done, all Del Norte County Unified School District schools will offer salad bars as a lunch option for students.

Jun 02, 2011
USDA Unveils New, Simple Tips to Stay Healthy, Active and Fit
Today was an exciting day at USDA as I was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama and Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin to unveil USDA’s new food icon, MyPlate.

May 19, 2011
ABCs of Quality Food
A local grassroots group that wants to improve the quality of children’s diets is turning to outside consultants to revamp school meals.

May 13, 2011
Fruit & Veggie Fest coming Sunday in Santa Rosa
A state public health group and Lola's Market in Santa Rosa will host a free “Fruit & Veggie Fest” Sunday to educate and encourage shoppers to eat healthier.

May 13, 2011
Monday event to focus on healthy grocery shopping
A Fruit and Veggie Fest on Monday is designed to inspire local families to chose healthy snacks at the grocery store.

Mar 23, 2011
Let's Move! Can it make a dent in the childhood obesity problem?
Can childhood obesity be eliminated in a generation? Will we ever get our children away from video games and into the park? Is there anything to be done about neighborhoods with a plethora of fast-food outlets and a dearth of options for eating healthfull

Mar 01, 2011
Poverty's Impact Reaches Deep Into Sonoma County Classrooms
The shift in poverty levels at Santa Rosa elementary schools has been profound.

Mar 01, 2011
Poverty Levels Spike in Local Schools
Seven out of 10 elementary students in Santa Rosa City Schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, reflecting a rising level of poverty in the city's core schools, according to guidelines established by the federal government.

Feb 16, 2011
Sacramento Councilman Suggests Soda Tax to Fight Childhood Obesity
Would you be willing to pay a special tax on soda if the money went to keep kids healthy? That's what a Sacramento city councilman wants to explore as the city continues to cut recreational programs as part of a persistent cycle of large budget deficits.

Jan 25, 2011
Menu of Changes
Local to national efforts are afoot for school meals

Jan 25, 2011
What's for Lunch
Students sound off, and new local group looks at the menus

Jan 03, 2011
Fountain of Sorrow, Fountain of Light Which one do the kids get to drink from?
Green Zone Columnist Juliane Poirier comments on drinking water fountains in schools.

Dec 30, 2010
Families appreciate garden, cooking programs in county schools
Parents know it can be a struggle getting kids to eat vegetables and to play actively, but the BEANS (Better Eating, Activity, and Nutrition for Students) program is getting county youngsters excited about trying new healthy habits.

Dec 20, 2010
New Law: Schools Must Provide Water at Lunch
The Press Democrat looks at the law that requires schools to provide water to students where they eat lunch.

Nov 28, 2010
Humboldt CAN: How much sugar is in that?
Halloween -- the most sugar-laden holiday of the year -- is over. Candy of all sorts is known for its sugar content and empty calories. But, did you know that there is another culprit with added sugar? It's sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda, juice

Nov 03, 2010
A Golden Effort in the Fight Against Hunger
Mendocino County's food stamp program got its first gold award for effective outreach this year from the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- one of only two local government programs in the nation to receive the top award.

Jul 12, 2010
Sugary-drink ban starts to affect S.F. sites
Under an executive order from Mayor Gavin Newsom, Coke, Pepsi and Fanta Orange are no longer allowed in vending machines on city property, although their diet counterparts are - up to a point.

Jun 29, 2010
Lessons in Healthy Lifestyles
The Redwood Empire Food Bank and the Network for a Healthy California partner to increase participation in summer lunch and increase physical activity.

Jun 10, 2010
Del Norte High School Group Looking to Make Changes
A group of local high-schoolers are on a mission to change what students eat and drink at Del Norte High School. Their group is aptly called CHANGE, which stands for Creating Healthy and Nutritional Goals Everywhere.

Jun 07, 2010
Kids race for fruits, veggies
As California children continue to battle an obesity epidemic, several local groups are teaming up to help cure the outbreak of this life-threatening and very preventable disease.

May 11, 2010
White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President
In February, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. As part of this effort, President Barack Obama established the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to develop and implement

May 06, 2010
Drinking It In
Students in Ukiah Unified School District participate in a beverage replacement campaign.

May 06, 2010
Soda In America: Children and Families
Michele Norris talks with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about his goals for nutrition standards in schools, about the choices he hopes young people and their families will learn to make, and about his own soda habits. She also speaks with community he

May 06, 2010
Soda In America: Taxes and A Debate Over Health
NPR's Jeff Brady looks at efforts to tax soda. And Michele Norris gets two different views of the health effects of soda: from Gail Woodward-Lopez of the Center for Weight and Health; and from Maureen Storey, senior vice president for science policy at t

Apr 15, 2010
FBMS A Front-Runner in the Governor's Challenge
Fort Bragg Middle School received $1000 from CVS for being front-runner in the Governor's Challenge, a program of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, for the third year in a row.

Mar 03, 2010
Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Actions to Fight Obesity, Promote Healthy Living
Following a moderated discussion with President Clinton at the Governor’s 2010 Summit on Health, Nutrition and Obesity: Actions for Healthy Living, Governor Schwarzenegger announced eight specific actions he will pursue to support healthy living in Califo

Mar 03, 2010
Food bank finds a creative way to help fight hunger in Humboldt County
Canstruction event in Eureka on March 6th, highlights hunger issues in Humboldt County by asking businesses to build structures out of canned food items

Mar 02, 2010
Navarrette is wrong about food stamps, farmers markets
Jo Weber, Director of the Sonoma County Dept. of Human Services, comments on food stamp op ed.

Mar 01, 2010
Targeting Dietary Dangers
Efforts in Sonoma County to increase nutritious foods in grocery stores in low-income areas. Can Creation is highlighted.

Feb 03, 2010
Access to the Kids
Schools look to push harder for healthier kids in Del Norte County.

Feb 03, 2010
Teaching Healthy Choices
From pre-school to high school, students learning how to select, grow, prepare wholesome foods in Del Norte County.

Feb 03, 2010
The Case for Exercise
Educators look at encouraging active students in Del Norte County.

Feb 03, 2010
Lessons in Healthiness
Schools fighting our widespread weight problem in Del Norte County.

Dec 30, 2009
War on fat: California trans-fat ban goes into effect Friday
California is the first state to ban the use of trans-fat in restaurants.

Dec 29, 2009
Food security report: Food stamps program is underutilized
The California Food Policy Advocates on Thursday released, “Lost Dollars, Empty Plates 2009,” reporting on statewide participation numbers and the positive effect food stamps can have on a local economy. This article focuses on Mendocino and Humboldt Coun

Dec 28, 2009
Food Stamp Use Soars
The Press Democrat looks at the increase of Food Stamp usage in Sonoma county.

Oct 06, 2009
Calories from Beverages in NY 2007
Calorie intake from beverages has increased in the past decades, which most likely contributes to higher obesity rates. Although coffee chains have grown in popularity in recent years, few data examine the calorie contribution of these drinks. We examined

Oct 06, 2009
Taxing Sugar-Sweetend Beverages
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages has been linked to risks for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease1-3; therefore, a compelling case can be made for the need for reduced consumption of these beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverages are beverages th

Sep 08, 2009
Slow Food Advocates Seek Healthier School Lunches
Local Slow Food Advocates host 'eat-in' to raise awareness and get support for more federal funding for the school lunch program so that the programs can buy locally produced food.

Aug 19, 2009
Obesity A Crushing Weight on U.S. Health Care
A look at how obesity is the elephant in the room of health care reform

Jul 14, 2009
Health Advocates Urge Kids to "Power Up Your Summer"
The Network for a Healthy California--Children's Power Play! Campaign launched "Power Up Your Summer" at Alicia Park in Rohnert Park on June 23, 2009.

Jul 02, 2009
That was how many calories?
Information on the new California state law that requires chain restaurants to post the calorie content of standard menu items.

Jul 02, 2009
High School Beverage Restricitions as of July 1, 2009
Information on the new high school beverage restrictions that go into effect on July 1, 2009.

Apr 02, 2009
Food Stamp Program Gets Infusion of Stimulus Funds
Starting April 1st, the 1 million families that receive food stamps will see an increase of 13.6%.

Mar 25, 2009
Food bank uses food stamps to boost economy
Humboldt County's Food for People is "Bringing a Million to Humboldt County" by educating Humboldt County residents about who is eligible for food stamps and enrolling them.

Mar 20, 2009
Effects of Thirty Years of Weight Gain
At a recent Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee meeting, PCRM asked the government to acknowledge America’s current state of health and rewrite those guidelines.

Feb 04, 2009
Good Eating Habits Start Younger Than You May Think
Eating with your child from a young age and being a good role model helps to protect your child from obesity.

Jan 30, 2009
Recess Makes for Better Students
Kids with more recess behaved better in school, according to a teacher rating system.

Jan 22, 2009
Give Your School Fundraisers a Healthy Boost!
Learn more about how to have a healthy fundraiser.

Jan 08, 2009
Time is Ripe: New era of food regulation is possible
State and local governments are making new regulations as a reaction to the growing cost of obesity, diabetes and the ever-higher cost of health care.

Dec 29, 2008
Nutritious Fast-Food Kids' Meals Are Scarce, Researchers Find
Only 3 percent of kids' meals served at fast-food restaurants met federal dietary guidelines in the first study to examine the nutrient quality of such meals in a major U.S. metropolitan market.

Dec 24, 2008
U.S. FDA warns Coca-Cola over nutritional claims on diet drink
FDA writes warning letter that Diet Coke Plus doesn't have enough additional nutritional value to match its name.

Dec 19, 2008
Governor Paterson proposes 'Obesity Tax,' a tax on non-diet sodas
Governor tries to raise money for NY by increasing tax on non-diet sodas.