Cultiva La Salud/Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program

(PHI program 2011-2018)

The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP) began in 2005 as a model program utilizing a policy and environmental change approach to help community members gain access to healthy food, beverages and safe spaces to be physically active. Central to CCROPP’s work, the leadership training program (Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities Leadership Program) worked closely with local residents to help them gain the critical skills and tools to take on leadership roles and help to create healthier communities.vAs a regional initiative, CCROPP brought together public health departments, community based organizations and grassroots community members to work together in addressing the policy, system and environmental factors that contribute to obesity and obesity related illnesses. CCROPP’s many local successes include changing local ordinances to allow for the establishment of farmer’s markets and unlocking school gates for physical activity.

In 2016, CCROPP transitioned to Cultiva La Salud. The goal of Cultiva La Salud, which literally means “cultivate health” in Spanish, was to increase access to environments with healthy food or beverage options and increase access to physical activity opportunities. Through these approaches Cultiva La Salud increased the daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, healthy beverages and increase physical activity among the targeted Latino population. The project worked in partnership with the Dolores Huerta Foundation and the Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children.