The Marin County Fair was awarded first California Department of Food and Agriculture, SNAP-Ed grant to increase education regarding nutrition and physical activity at California fairs.
This innovative grant recognizes the Marin County Fair’s 10 years of partnership with Play Fair Marin, which has worked on increasing health and safety during the five days of the fair. The Marin County Fair and its partners are the only venue to receive the funding in the state.
The award, up to $235,299 for 2013 and 2014 fairs, will be used to bring messages about healthy eating to communities significantly at risk of being overweight and obese, while encouraging them to learn even more about nutrition and physical activity while visiting the fair.
“Eat a Rainbow of Fruits and Vegetables,” “Rethink your Drink” to encourage drinking water instead of sugared beverages, as well as education regarding portion control using, “My Plate” are a few of the key messages. Health Ambassadors, wearing orange t-shirts, will be teasing fair-goers with healthy riddles for prizes, and are a resource for healthy options throughout the fairgrounds.
Every food vendor has been coached by Chef Rachelle Boucher of Standards of Excellence on ways to include healthy options on their menus. “This grant is a symbol of our community’s commitment to health and family well-being, and the importance of staying on course to make the healthy choice the easy choice” says Teri Rockas with Play Fair Marin.
Over 20 partnering agencies from across the county are responsible for the work occurring at the fair, including Marin County Office of Education, Marin Community Foundation, Marin County Board of Supervisors, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, Bay Area Community Resources, Alcohol Justice, Huckleberry Youth Programs, Healthy Marin Partnership, Marin General Hospital, United Way of the Bay Area, Novato Community Hospital, North Bay Leadership Council, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, First 5 Marin, San Rafael Police Department, San Rafael Coalition, Kaiser Permanente, Agricultural Institute of Marin, Marin Organic, UCCE Extension, Lift/Levántate, and YMCA Marin.
This grant augments existing work of the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services-led Healthy Eating Active Living work across the county.
The theme of this year’s fair, Schools Rule, emphasizes the importance of education for everyone. “Education regarding nutrition and physical activity takes us to a whole new level of community health and well-being,” said Richard Waxman, Executive Director of partnering organization, Lift/Levantate. “The Marin County Fair is the perfect venue to celebrate healthy choices every day!”