Our Priorities

Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are out of reach. We support state and local policies that increases access to healthy food and beverage, decrease access to unhealthy food and beverages, make it easier to eat healthy, and drive industry innovation to improve the food and drinks we all need.

Some low-income communities have lacked well-maintained routes to parks and schools, roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks for decades. We support state and local policies and funding. We influence the use of federal dollars in states that make communities and neighborhoods more livable by ensuring all people can get safely to where they need to go–work, school, the library, grocery stores, or parks–starting where the needs are greatest.

Children—no matter where they live or what grade they are in— benefit from physical education, healthy food, and clean water. We are committed to promoting the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WCSS) model to support and build broad and inclusive healthy, school environments, particularly in marginalized or under-resourced communities. We work to support and build healthy schools for all children regardless of where the live or go to school.

The more that young children can be in healthy and supportive learning environments, the more likely they will be emotionally, mentally, and physically healthy and able to reach their full potential. We support early childhood development opportunities, at the state and local levels with a focus on children most in need, that increase healthy outcomes, set children on a path to life-long health, and support families.

Local governments are uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the people in their communities. They understand local needs and values. We are working to prevent states from blocking local actions that promote health, well-being, and equity.