NHA was recognized by the First Lady’s Let’s Move! Child Care initiative for carrying out exceptional work to promote and implement the goals of Let’s Move! Child Care, a program that centers around the promotion of childhood obesity prevention and a healthy lifestyle among children. NHA is one of twenty selected for recognition, including early education and child care programs and networks, communities, and states. NHA was honored at the Let’s Move! Child Care Recognition Luncheon at the Weight of the Nation Conference this week, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. White House Assistant Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, Sam Kass, gave keynote remarks and highlighted NHA’s efforts.
“NHA is honored to be recognized by the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, and to contribute in the fight against childhood obesity,” says Rudolph A. Johnson III, President and CEO of NHA. “As a large organization with a passion for preschool nutrition, NHA believes that it has the potential to positively impact others that may want to duplicate our efforts. This recognition solidifies that NHA has become a model for building a healthier future for children and families not just in San Diego, but across the entire nation.”
Earlier in 2012, NHA collaborated with the office of Senator Juan Vargas for National Nutrition Month to promote a new health campaign to Head Start Students called Healthy, Fit and Happy. The program aimed to reduce childhood obesity, increase exercise and educate children on healthy eating habits by engaging students and parents in various educational activities in and outside of the classroom. In May, NHA was recognized by the California Senate when they were presented with a state resolution that acknowledged the innovative nutrition program and the efforts to promote healthy lifestyles across the San Diego community.
NHA’s efforts against the prevention of childhood obesity are primarily driven by a cost- effective, groundbreaking preschool menu that is designed to eliminate processed and pre-packaged foods by including local, fresh, natural, and organic foods. The pioneering nutrition program also partners with Farm to Preschool to teach children and parents about local produce, agriculture and the benefits of eating healthy foods.