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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03021993 - IO.7 TO% . BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 1 .0.-7 SE L Contra FROM: INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE IF ' �► Costa County DATE: February 22 , 1993 SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF CONTRA COSTA FOOD POLICY SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1 . Endorse the Contra Costa County Food Policy as outlined in the attached statement and authorize the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium to continue to work with County departments on the full implementation of the Food Policy. 2 . Request the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium to prepare articles for department newsletters publicizing the adoption of the Food Policy and explaining its purpose and objective and request that department heads insure that the article is printed in their departmental newsletters . 3 . Request the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium, Health Services Department and General Services Department to work with those companies which provide and service vending machines for County facilities in an effort to insure that those machines provide a variety of nutritious foods as alternatives to other, more typically available vending machine foods . 4 . Request the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium to consider the preparation and distribution of "tent cards" which high-light those factors which individuals should keep in mind in eating healthy foods, such as low fat, high fiber, low sugar and low salt. 5 . Request the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium to encourage private sector employers to encourage health insurers who do business in Contra Costa County to encourage good nutrition as a method of reducing chronic diseases and improving the overall health of the population. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD C M IT APPROVE O EHEEL sIGNAruRE s : SUNNE WRIGHT MCPEAK J rS TH ACTION OF BOARD ON March , PPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. g ATTESTED Contact: PHIL BATCHELOR.CLERK OF THE BOARD OF cc: See Page 2 . SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY �� DEPUTY I .O.-7 6 . Remove this item as a referral to our Committee. BACKGROUND: On November 24, 1992, Supervisor McPeak brought to the Board' s attention the attached proposed Contra Costa County Food Policy and asked that the feasibility of its implementation be referred to the Internal Operations Committee. On February 22, 1993 our Committee met with Dorothy Conroy of the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium who reviewed the proposed policy with our Committee. Also present were staff from the Probation Department; Dr. Wendel Brunner, Public Health Director; Arnell Hinkle, staff to the Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium; and Trevor Norman from Supervisor McPeak' s Office. Ms . Conroy noted that there really was no problem from those County departments which operate 24-hour institutions because each of them already meets or exceeds dietary guidelines and standards, although it was always possible to try to further reduce the fat content of meals . The primary focus of the proposed policy is vending machines which are available to County employees and meals which may be served to or be available to County employees while they are on the job. Ms . Conroy noted that some studies indicated that County employees can consume up to 2/3 of their entire caloric intake for the day while on the job. The above recommendations grew out of our discussion of this subject and our concern with the valuable preventive aspects of good nutrition. cc: County Administrator Sheriff-Coroner County Probation Officer Health Services Director General Services Director Wendel Brunner, M.D. , Public Health Director Food & Nutrition Policy Consortium (Via CAO) All County Department Heads (Via CAO) 2 t Nu'v-- t? 0 - 92 FR I 11 : 54 SUPw SUNNE MCPEAK P - ,'�4'' t BOARD OF SUPERVISORS J - FROM: CONTRA COSTA COiJM FOOD & NUTRITION POLICY CONSORTIUM CtJl tra and PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD Cos DATE; November 24, 1992 Ga.v SUBJECT: CONTRA COSTA COM-TY FOOD POLICY V SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: ENDORSE the concept of adopting a Contra Costa County Food Policy and DIRECT the Internal Operations Committee to review the feasibility of implementing such a policy for all county facilities and social functions. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Chronic diseases account for more than 75% of all deaths in Contra Costa County. In 1989, Contra Costa health care costs for hospitalizations related to chronic diseases amounted to over $59 million. REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION/BACKGROUND: (See attached Contra Costa County Food Policy) On September 20, 1988, the Board of Supervisors asked the Health Services Department and the Public Health Prevention Program to undertake a community nutrition education program and referred the matter to the Internal Operations Committee for oversight. On November 28, 1988, the Internal Operations Committee recommended that the Board of Supervisors: 1)agree to jointly co-sponsor a Nutrition Education Planning Committee(since re-named the Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium), 2) encourage the Health Services Department to undertake a public education program emphasizing the vital importance of nutrition, 3) request the Health Services Director to identify possible legislative options to be pursued on ways to do public education on what is needed in the way of nutrition education, and 4) set a good example by insuring the County serve nutritious meals in the County's institutions, particularly Juvenile Hall, the Boy's Ranch, and the Sheriffs facilities. On March 21, 1989, the Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium sponsored cholesterol testing and a healthy breakfast for the Board of Supervisors. At that time, Supervisor Sunne McPeak challenged the BOS to develop a policy that all food served by county facilities adhere to U.S. Dietary Guidelines. CONYINUED ON ATTACHMENT; X YES SIGNATURE; RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE �- APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S)' ACTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES. AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATCHELOR, CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FOOD POLICY Goals Qf Food PohCg: 1) Make healthy food choices readily available for Contra Costa government employees. 2) Educate Contra Costa employees on what the U.S. Dietary Guidelines are, and why they are important. Elements Qf a county-widefood yoficv: The Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium proposes that all functions supported by county funds offer sufficient food choices to be consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. This policy would include provisions that foods and beverages offered at meals and breaks during the work day should represent variety, nutritional benefits, and choice to employees. Those foods and beverages which have moderate or reduced levels of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar, and high levels of dietary fiber should be offered. Nutrient dense foods are the most appropriate. Additionally, lower calorie choices should be provided. This policy would specify that: * food provided at staff meetings, parties and other types of county social events include choices that meet dietary guidelines wherever food is served to people or provided through food assistance programs, it should reflect the curent standards of good nutrition * vending machines in county government facilities offer at least one food selection (in each category of food vended) that meets dietary guidelines * caterers who can demonstrate competence in adhering to the U.S. dietary guidelines be given preference for contract services * there be a mechanism to train middle-level managers & supervisors in how to implement the guidelines * point-of-purchase nutrition labeling be available at the worksite rou,n . For the two out of three adults who do not smoke or drink excessively, one personal choice seems to influence long-term health prospects more than any other - food intake. The types of foods eaten affect Contra Costan's risk of developing several of the leading causes of death, notably coronary heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Together these disorders now account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in Contra Costa. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is on record supporting the need for nutrition education for the public. As one of the largest employers within the county, the county government system is in a prime position to model appropriate health behavior. Thus the County can promote the consumption and availability of foods that meet the U.S. Dietary guidelines, and set an example to others in the food it serves to staff and clients. All staff, no matter what position, have an important role as potential advisors on healthy eating through their interaction with clients and other staff. Therefore, it is important that they be provided with correct and consistent information on this issue, and the opportunity to practice behaviors conducive to good health. On September 29, 1990, the Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium sponsored a conference "In the Midst of Plenty," which drew together people in the community who have an impact on the food system. Since its inception, the Consortium has worked to reduce chronic disease and promote good health for all Contra Costa residents through ensuring access to adequate and nutritious food. From the 1990 conference, a subcommittee interested in developing a county-wide nutrition policy formed. The Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium realized that thousands of Contra Costa government employees eat at least one main meal and several snacks at their workplace each day. The Consortium decided that since the Contra Costa County government system is responsible for showing leadership in health care, and is one of the county's largest employers, it would be an ideal place to implement a county-wide food policy. In September 1992, the Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board identified nutrition as a key element in chronic disease prevention, and recommended that the Board of Supervisors embark'on a county-wide campaign to improve Contra Costans' nutritional habits. f I CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FOOD POLICY Goals i2f Food Policy: 1) Make healthy food choices readily available.for Contra Costa.government employees. 2) Educate Contra Costa employees on what the U.S. Dietary Guidelines are, and why they are important. Elements of a county-wide food F0a: The Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium proposes that all functions supported by county funds offer sufficient food choices to be consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. This policy would include provisions that foods and beverages offered at meals and breaks.during the work day should represent variety, nutritional benefits, and choice to employees. Those foods and beverages which have moderate or reduced levels of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar, and high levels of dietary fiber should be offered. Nutrient dense foods are the most appropriate. Additionally, lower calorie choices should be provided. This policy would specify that: * food provided at staff meetings, parties and other types of county social events include choices that meet dietary.guidelines wherever food is served to people or provided through food assistance programs, it should reflect the curent standards.of good nutrition * vending machines in county government facilities offer at least one food selection (in each category of food vended) that meets dietary guidelines * caterers who can demonstrate competence in adhering to the U.S. dietary guidelines be given preference for contract services * there be a mechanism to train middle-level managers & supervisors in how to implement the guidelines * point-of-purchase nutrition labeling be available at the worksite Bac r u For the two out of three adults who do not smoke or drink excessively, one personal choice seems to influence long-term health prospects more than any other - food intake. The types of foods eaten affect Contra Costan's risk of developing several of the leading causes of death, notably coronary heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Together these disorders now account for more than two-thirds of all deaths in Contra Costa. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is on record supporting the need for nutrition education for the public. As one of the largest employers within the county, the county government system is in a prime position to model appropriate health behavior. Thus the County can promote the consumption and availability of foods that meet the U.S. Dietary guidelines, and set an example to others in the food it serves to staff and clients. All staff, no matter what position, have an important role as potential advisors on healthy eating through their interaction with clients and other staff. Therefore, it is important that they be provided with correct and consistent information on this issue, and the opportunity to practice behaviors conducive to good health. On September 29, 1990, the Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium sponsored a conference "In the Midst of Plenty," which drew together people in the community who have an impact on the food system. Since its inception, the Consortium has worked.to reduce chronic disease and promote good health for all Contra Costa residents through ensuring access to adequate and nutritious food. From the 1990 conference, a subcommittee interested in developing a county-wide nutrition policy formed. The Contra Costa Food and Nutrition Policy Consortium realized that thousands of Contra Costa government employees eat at least one main meal and several snacks at their workplace each day. The Consortium decided that since the Contra Costa County government system is responsible for showing leadership in health care, and.is one of the county's largest employers, it would be an ideal place to implement a county-wide food policy. In September 1992, the Public and Environmental Health Advisory Board identified nutrition as a key element in chronic disease prevention, and recommended that the Board of Supervisors embark:on a county-wide campaign to improve Contra Costans' nutritional habits.