Overview

The Healthy Food Systems Work Group seeks to improve health outcomes in Southern California by
collaborating to advance upstream solutions for food and nutritional security. Food systems are a foundational element for elevating equitable actions to uplift whole-person and community health. Food equity is deeply connected to climate equity, sustainability, community connection, and educational outcomes.

In 2022, The Healthy Food Systems Work Group is focusing on improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs through food security and nutritional support through the implementation of CalAIM. Beyond food security, we are working towards systemic change by incorporating mental health, maternal and birth equity, and sustainability as core foundations of food delivery and nutritional support as a strategy to make our communities healthier for all.

The Alliance is helping support our Local health departments by convening partners, providing technical assistance, and advocating for upstream policy changes to improve health outcomes through preventative, population-based food and nutritional supports—helping support community members’ health and wellness and lessening the need for clinical health interventions.

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Community food security is a condition in which all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes community self-reliance and social justice.
–Mike Hamm and Anne Bellows

Previous
Initiatives

The Alliance actively works to advance policy, systems, and environmental change to support equitable, more sustainable food and water infrastructure across California. These resources were developed within the past few years and represent some of our practical guidance and advocacy efforts in the healthy food systems space.

Stay tuned for more project updates and resources!