Apples
CalFresh Healthy Living,

University of California

UC CalFresh Nutrition Education Program is now referred to as CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California. This new name reflects our expanded work in California communities that encompasses nutrition education aligned with policy, systems and environmental change initiatives.

Our Mission

The California SNAP-Ed Mission

To inspire and empower under-served Californians to improve their health by promoting awareness, education, and community change through diverse partnerships, resulting in healthy eating and active living.

CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California helps people lead healthier lives.

As one of four State Implementing Agencies for CalFresh Healthy Living*, the University of California teaches people eligible for SNAP about good nutrition, how to make their food dollars stretch further, and how to be physically active at any age.  Effective, evidenced-based nutrition education and physical activity classes are aligned with policy, systems and environmental change strategies to create long lasting community change.

Who We Are

  • Educate - Increase garden-based learning, nutrition and physical activity knowledge, skills, and practice
  • -Effective, evidence-based nutrition education for youth, adults, seniors and families 
    -Offering a comprehensive, preventative approach to health 
    -Classes offered primarily in Spanish and English, with Chinese and Hmong classes offered in select locations
  • Partner – Encourage state and local partnerships in support of shared goals
  • -Strategically aligned partnerships help strengthen the food system for low-resource communities​​​​​​ 
    -We partner with government and non-governmental agencies, local stakeholders, and community leaders to create further impact and generate sustainable results
  •  Build Capacity - Advance local priorities through community engagement, training, and technical assistance
  • -Curricula training for “extenders” (teachers, after school staff, community members)
    -Leadership development for youth
    -Fostering a network of local health advocates
  •  Transform – Act as a catalyst for healthy lifestyle change
  • -Working with communities to seek healthy lifestyle solutions that are sustainable, transformative, inclusive and grass roots driven

What We Do

  • Promoting healthy people and communities
  • CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California works at the intersection of individual and community health - offering the latest UC research-tested expertise, talented local educators, and an uncompromising commitment to quality in community service.

The CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California offers comprehensive evidence-based nutrition and physical activity education, aligned with policy systems and environmental change services in early childhood centers, schools and community environments. Services are provided in 34 counties with 1,600 volunteer “extenders” (trained teachers, after school staff, community members).  Opportunities are identified to move programs from individual/group education and interventions to comprehensive interventions and, finally, multi sectoral community and public health approaches.

Who We Reach

The majority of CalFresh Healthy Living, University of California participants are preschool (3-5) and school aged youth (5-17) and their families.  The program also works with SNAP-Ed eligible adults and seniors.

 

*California SNAP-Ed is administered by the California Department of Social Services in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, University of California, the California Department of Aging, and Catholic Charities of California, Inc.