HOST HEPA Roundup, September 18, 2015

The latest in our regular roundups of healthy eating and physical activity news from HOST members and others.

News and Achievements

• The National League of Cities (NLC) joined First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House to announce that since July 2012, 500 cities, towns and counties have committed to the five goals in the Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) initiative. LMCTC "helps local elected officials, their staff and communities ensure all children grow up healthy and have the ability to reach their full potential."
• The Boys & Girls Clubs of America's second annual Triple Play Mobile Tour for kids and teens this summer logged more than 10,000 miles, 330,000+ jumping jacks, and 3 million calories burned.
• The Center for Collaborative Solutions (CCS) has received a grant from the Kaiser Permanente National Community Benefit Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation to establish five Healthy Behaviors Learning Centers in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties in California over the next year. These centers are publicly funded, low-income afterschool sites that implement CCS-developed Exemplary Practices and commit to helping other afterschool sites in their communities implement those practices.

Tips and Activities

• Alliance for a Healther Generation offers "10 Ways to Walk and Run to More Physical Activity," an infographic from the New Balance Foundation Billion Mile Race.
• SPARK Programs joins the Alliance for a Healther Generation's #Commit2Ten campaign with a way to dance to 10 more minutes of physical activity.
• Playworks explains why structured play and free play aren't mutually exclusive.

Policy

• Over 375 retired generals and admirals have sent a letter urging lawmakers to maintain healthy meal standards for our future national security.
• The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) suggests ways park and recreation professionals can support the U.S. Surgeon General's recent "Call to Action on Walking and Walkable Communities." The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has also expressed support for this initiative.
• A new report that shows that the USDA's Farm to School Grant Program has helped 12,300 schools offer 6.9 million students nutritious meal options made with local ingredients, and expanded opportunities for family farmers and ranchers in their communities.
• Youth Today reports that sugary drinks are much less available in school since the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, took effect a year ago, despite spending by beverage manufacturers to counter initiatives that would limit sugary drinks.

Profiles

• Up2Us profiles Coach Gabriel of the Chicago Youth Boxing Club, who offers kids physical activity, a safe environment, and positive role models during after-school time.