Mission

The mission of Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC) is to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to develop strategies that will reduce and prevent obesity and other health risks of unhealthy eating and lack of physical activity among all children in San Mateo County.

Accomplishments

Watch a video of GHSMC Accomplishments from 2005-2010 and check out an evaluation of the first 5 years!

Healthy Neighborhood Stores
Watch this great VIDEO featuring youth and staff of the Youth Leadership Institute and YO! Mateo and their recent healthy makeover of a neighborhood store La Guadalupana Carniceria, 55 Fifth St. in Redwood City!

Healthy Active Play Environments (HAPE)
Check out this short VIDEO about HAPE! A countywide non-profit organization empowering afterschool providers, making daily physical activity accessible and engaging for every student.

Funding Opportunities

Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) Grant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released requests for applications (RFA) for the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) grant to help improve and expand domestic farmers’ markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agri-tourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. The maximum amount awarded for any one proposal cannot exceed $100,000. Deadline: May 21

View more funding opportunities

Upcoming Events

Promote Healthy Eating and More Movement in your Workday: Learn How to Adapt and Implement Worksite Wellness Policies
May 18, 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
San Mateo Library, Oak room, 55 W. 3rd Ave., San Mateo
Dan McClure, CEO of Generations Wellness, will describe wellness policies or guidelines about healthy eating and physical activity for your organization. He’ll discuss how wellness policies can reduce employer and employee health care costs, boost employee morale, increase productivity, and reduce absenteeism. He and some of our colleagues will share how easy it’s been to adapt and implement these policies.. Check out the flyer! Co-sponsored by Get Healthy San Mateo County and Behavioral Health and Recovery Services.

Get Sugar Savvy: an Interactive Train the Trainer Workshop
May 18, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
San Mateo Library, Oak room, 55 W. 3rd Ave., San Mateo
Make changes in your organization to reduce sugary drinks, train others to identify the sugar content in food & beverages with the Rethink Your Drink Campaign, and champion the link between being sugar savvy and worksite wellness policies. Additional trainings will be scheduled. Click here for more details!

View more calendar events

Job Opportunities

Part-time Development Coordinator, Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Ravenswood Family Health Center

Part-Time Administrator, Thrive

Featured Sections

Announcements

A Wellness Policy for your organization!
Do you want to increase productivity, decrease employer and healthcare costs, and increase staff morale? Attend a training on how organizations can implement wellness policies on Fri., 5/18. Click here for more details. Five organizations and three Cities will be selected for consultant assistance with their wellness policy. If your organizations would like to be considered, please complete this form. Interested Cities, please complete this questionnaire.
**************************************************

San Mateo County Leads California in Curbing Childhood Obesity!
Check out the great media coverage San Mateo County received recently for decreasing obesity rates by 5.6% between 2005-2010 (view the full report). While rates are still very high, 34% of children, our improvement is a real tribute to the work that communities have been leading over the last 7 years. **************************************************

Congratulations to the 2011 Healthy Apply Awardees!
Ten San Mateo County schools are awarded with the Healthy Apple Awards in recognition for Excellence in Nutrition & Physical Activity. 2012 Healthy Apple assessment now available! Child care and after school providers are encouraged to complete the assessment. The deadline to submit completed assessments is Friday, June 1, 2012. If you would like assistance completing your assessment, please contact Steven Lopez at slopez@smcgov.org. **************************************************

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Today, children consume more sugary drinks (soda, sports drinks, flavored drinks and energy drinks) than milk. Just one 12-ounce soda contains 9-10 teaspoons of sugar. Sugary drinks are one of the leading contributors to obesity in San Mateo County. Check out the recently published brief Sip on This and learn how you can take action!

Make changes in your organization to reduce sugary drinks, train others to identify the sugar content in food & beverages with the Rethink Your Drink Campaign, and much more! Click here for info on these trainings. Park and Rec departments can contact staff to set up a training for their staff.

Strategies for Improving Food & Physical Activity Environments

Get Healthy San Mateo County first began addressing childhood obesity, six years ago! Download the 2010-2015 Strategies for Improving Food & Physical Activity Environments.

Congratulations to the 2011-12 Community Implementation Funding awardees! To preview the list, please click here

Gardening and Sustainable Agriculture in San Mateo County

Does your school or afterschool program promote sustainable gardening? Get recognized for your garden, build school pride, and be acknowledged by your community for your achievements. Complete this school garden assessment by 3/30/12 and join us for a special recognition ceremony on 4/28/12 at the Taft Community School.

Free and Low-Cost Physical Activity Opportunities in Your Community

Get a free and low cost (less than $5/class) listing of physical activities available in your city. These events will not require registration and you can attend as many events as you choose.