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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing March 2022 as National Nutrition Month in Solano County (Supervisor Vasquez)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No __X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No __X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing March 2022 as National Nutrition Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health Division joins the California Department of Public Health, other California counties, and other states and counties across the country to recognize National Nutrition Month (NNM): an annual nutrition education and information campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign is celebrated annually throughout the month of March and focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme is “Celebrate a World of Flavors” emphasizing there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and health.
The H&SS Public Health Division, Nutrition Services Bureau intends to use NNM 2022 to focus on promoting foods that are healthy, diverse and culturally appropriate.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing this agenda item is nominal and is included in the Department’s FY2021/22 Adopted Budget. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
During March, the H&SS Public Health Division, Nutrition Services Bureau will highlight the importance of celebrating cultural heritage, tradition and recipes from all communities. By honoring cultural differences in eating, a community can be healthier, happier and more connected - an important step toward individual and collective cultural humility.
Food is a window into cultural diversity. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program provides nutrition education and resources to the families participating in WIC. In 2021, the racial/ethnic composition of WIC participants was 25% White, 16% Black/African American, 8% Asian/Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 22% mixed-race, 11% American Indian and 18% Other, with 22% of participants identifying as Hispanic/LatinX. The composition of the WIC staff providing education is reflective of the various cultural groups they serve and includes the capacity to provide services in English, Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Tagalog. Understanding different cultures and foods helps create a positive connection with families and results in better health outcomes. Families learn how to enjoy their favorite foods in a healthier way and when healthy food is plentiful, families and individuals enjoy optimal growth, development, health and well-being in all stages of life.
The Nutrition Services Bureau views NNM as an opportunity to raise awareness about food diversity and to provide resources to help Solano County families explore different cultural cuisines through the specific activities outlined below:
• Partnering with Family Health Services to support the Food Rx program by incorporating cookbooks that reflect different cultural groups within the community including Soulful Recipes-Healthy Traditions, Flavors of My Kitchen-Latino Recipes and Healthy Chinese Cuisine.
• Registered Dietitians providing alternative cooking methods and other healthful advice for incorporating family-favorite foods into everyday meals to fine-tune traditional recipes.
• Continuing to partner with Innovative Health Solutions in cultivating the Armijo High School sustainable garden and garden club to educate students and staff on the benefits of growing food locally and creating a health-focused campus that celebrates the cultural diversity of the community.
• Continuing to promote Solano County’s WIC Program in outreach activities, emphasizing the recent substantial increase in the fruit and vegetable benefit dollar amount in 2021: Children now receive $24 per month (increased from $9), pregnant and postpartum women now receive $43 per month (increased from $11) and breastfeeding women receive $47 per month (increased from $11).
• Promoting the purchase of healthy foods by providing WIC benefits to eligible clients. In 2021, Solano County’s WIC Program contributed $5,973,140 to the local economy by providing benefits for the purchase of nutritious foods.
• Staffing the COVID-19 Warmline to connect the community to helpful programs and food resources and provide up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 topics.
• Screening for low-income or food insecure Solano County residents who call the COVID-19 Warmline and are or may be COVID-positive for eligibility to receive an assortment of non-perishable foods and delivery services through Solano County Public Health. These clients also receive nutrition cookbooks to aid with planning healthy meals during their isolation.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to adopt this resolution recognizing March 2022 as National Nutrition Month (NNM). This is not recommended as NNM is an opportunity to recognize the importance of promoting healthy, diverse and culturally appropriate foods.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Department of Health and Social Services will partner with other organizations to promote National Nutrition Month through joint activities, including, but not limited to, Innovative Health Solutions, Catholic Charities USA and Solano County Health and Social Services, Employment and Eligibility Division.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION