Community members joined the Network for a Healthy
California-Central Coast Region Latino Campaign (Network) and
Salinas United Business Association to commemorate Latino Health
Awareness Month at El Grito Street Festival in Salinas, Sept. 12.
The Network observes Latino Health Awareness Month each September
as a way to encourage Latinos to celebrate their culture and commit
to making healthy, active living a priority for themselves, their
families and their communities. This year’s theme,
”
Healthy Change is Within Your Reach,
”
acknowledges that while change can be hard, even small steps can
lead to big health improvements.
Community members joined the Network for a Healthy California-Central Coast Region Latino Campaign (Network) and Salinas United Business Association to commemorate Latino Health Awareness Month at El Grito Street Festival in Salinas, Sept. 12. The Network observes Latino Health Awareness Month each September as a way to encourage Latinos to celebrate their culture and commit to making healthy, active living a priority for themselves, their families and their communities. This year’s theme, “Healthy Change is Within Your Reach,” acknowledges that while change can be hard, even small steps can lead to big health improvements.
“Latinos face many difficulties when it comes to improving the health of their families, from the cost of fruits and vegetables to the lack of access to safe places for physical activity,” said Lupe Covarrubias-Martinez, Latino Campaign coordinator, Network for a Healthy California, in a press release. “During today’s event, we’re helping families overcome these challenges by arming them with the tools and information they need to make the healthiest choices possible. Change isn’t easy, but we’re showing Latinos they can do it.”
The event offered participants a variety of fun and educational activities to help them adopt lifelong healthy habits. Families learned how to put healthy twists on authentic Latin dishes by adding delicious fruits and vegetables and using healthier cooking methods. They also discovered fun, low-cost ways to be active through demonstrations of traditional Latin dances like ballet folklorico, salsa and cumbia. People rode the Smoothie Cycle – a bike that when pedaled activates a blender to make delicious smoothies. Champion Mom, Graciela Flores and a chef from the Culinary Institute of Monterey County, were also on hand to demonstrate how easy it is to make healthy delicious recipes.
“For many Latino families, holding on to family heritage and customs is important,” Covarrubias-Martinez said. “Today’s event highlighted many ways we can celebrate our culture, while making smarter decisions about our health. Whether it’s preparing rich traditional dishes using fresher, more nutritious ingredients or getting our hearts pumping through authentic Latin dances – we can all be proud of who we are, while doing our part to help turn the tide on the obesity epidemic currently threatening our community.”
The designated children’s area at the El Grito Street Festival in Salinas was one of several statewide Latino Health Awareness Month celebrations being held throughout California during the month of September. To find an event near you or for more information about the Network for a Healthy California, visit www.cachampionsforchange.net.
The California Department of Public Health’s Network for a Healthy California (Network) is a public health effort working with hundreds of partners and organizations to empower low-income Californians to live healthier lives through good nutrition and physical activity. Funding is from the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly the Food Stamp Program). For food stamp information, call 877-847-3663. For important nutrition information, visit www.cachampionsforchange.net.
