PHI’s Policy Team Protected Federal Policy—and the Program it Funded

The Network for a Healthy California, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, had been a national leader in nutrition and obesity prevention for well over 15 years. The Network created some of the best evidence-based programs for the health education program SNAP-Ed, which have improved fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income communities.

When federal Farm Bill negotiations threatened to cut SNAP-Ed funding, PHI’s advocacy team helped lead a national push that kept it fully resourced—protecting not just the Network, but SNAP-Ed programs across the US. 

And when their SNAP-Ed contract ended, PHI’s policy/advocacy team worked around the clock to strategize and advocate on behalf of the program. With their efforts and the leadership of PHI’s CEO, the team secured a transition grant that allowed them to build on their expertise and re-launch as the Center for Wellness and Nutrition (CWN).

In 2019, CWN provided SNAP-Education and other nutrition-related services in 25 states nationwide, collaborated with 230 partner organizations including social service agencies, health departments, health care agencies and universities. CWN trainings educated over 1,100 individuals on wellness and nutrition topics including community and youth engagement, health equity, systems change, local school wellness policies, healthy food system interventions and evaluation.