Promoting State and Local Laws and Policies that Set Healthy Food Standards for Public Places

Participants will learn why healthy food and beverage standards for public places (state and local cafeterias and vending operations, correctional facilities, hospitals, recreational centers, parks, and similar public settings) are an important area of public health policy. About the growing movement by advocacy organizations and national, state, and local governments to implement healthy food and beverages standards, and how those groups are working together. An overview of bill and alternative policy models that are available, and how the models are being used across the country. An understanding of potential challenges to working with vendors and solutions to those challenges that have been utilized by states, localities, and large institutions, and participants with gain a greater understanding of why vendors are an important constituency to engage. Inaddition, they will learn about tools and resources to support state and local efforts to develop, adopt, and implement healthy food and beverages policies. This session is intended to help participants gain a better understanding of the issue, how to find the resources necessary to move these policies forward, and learn from the experience of others that have already implemented these policies.