July 15, 2009
CANFIT’s 16 Year Journey from California to All Communities
CANFIT Turns 16! Here’s our story…
By Betty Geishirt Cantrell
CANFIT turns 16 in July!
CANFIT began as the result of a class action lawsuit filed by Public Advocates against a major food company for fraudulent, misleading, and deceptive advertising while marketing breakfast cereals to children. The lawsuit resulted in an out-of-court settlement that lead to the creation of the California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness (CANFit) Program and the hiring of our founding Executive Director, Arnell Hinkle.
In the beginning…
CANFit initially focused on supporting community-based organizations in California that worked with middle school-aged youth of color, 10 to 14 years old. We funded innovative projects related to nutrition and physical activity and provided technical assistance and training so they would succeed. In the process, CANFit developed culturally relevant, simple, and effective resources for youth and the providers that serve them - Recipes for Success Training, a variety of en espanol publications, and the SUPER MANUAL– our all-in-one curriculum that shows how to incorporate nutrition education and physical activity into everyday youth programming.
Next, we created and piloted culturally-specific community campaigns – Adelante con Leche Semi- Descremada, Project REAL, and P.H.A.T. (Promoting Healthy Activities Together). As our community work expanded, so did the number of requests for us to create community-specific trainings and to work outside of California.
From California to all communities…
In 2008, for our 15th birthday, we changed our brand from “California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness (CANFit) Program” to “CANFIT– Communities, Adolescents, Nutrition, Fitness.” Our new logo and brand reflect that we are more than just a program; our reach has expanded to communities across the country; our resources benefit all adolescents, not just those in middle school; and our focus on nutrition and physical activity encompasses environmental and policy solutions.
In our current work with communities, after school programs, and community-based organizations, we ensure that the right policies and practices are in place to improve healthy eating and physical activity among youth, particularly those in low income communities and communities of color. From grassroots to government, we work with community-based and youth-serving organizations to identify local solutions and support the development of culturally competent policy and practices.
Join CANFIT for the next 16 years plus! Click on ”Register For Free” and become a member today! Stay updated on new events, receive the CANFIT e-newsletter, and get free access to nutrition and physical activity resources.
2 reader comments on CANFIT’s 16 Year Journey from California to All Communities.
Thanks Phyllis!
wooo, happy bday CANFIT!!
congrats on everything that’s been done and keep up the great work