New CSPI Partnerships with 35 local, state, and national organizations to push policy change on food and nutrition

CSPI's DeAnna Nara speaks to the crowd at a rally in support of the NYC Sweet Truth Act on September 14.

Lisa Flores - CSPI.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is supporting a diverse group of 35 organizations to help advance better food and nutrition policy at the local, state, and national levels.  

These partnerships are part of a national advocacy initiative that CSPI is leading to secure federal, state, and local food and nutrition policies that improve public health and provide innovative models that can be replicated and scaled. As a part of this initiative, CSPI seeks to support communities as they explore policy interventions to bring about systemic change and advance a just and equitable food environment. In addition to providing financial support to partners, CSPI provides technical support on campaign planning, communications, lobbying, and more, as well as hosts regular learning opportunities and shares advocacy toolkits through CSPI’s Resource Hub. 

The grant-funded partner organizations are working to advance innovative policies to support public health, especially for communities who are disproportionately burdened by systemic inequities, and to increase the availability of nutritious food and beverages in schools, restaurants, and grocery stores, according to CSPI. As part of its initiative to improve the healthfulness of restaurant kids’ meals, CSPI has partnered with the NAACP Maryland State Conference to pass local bills that require kids’ meals at restaurants to meet expert nutrition standards and ensure healthier options for children. CSPI also supported the successful first-of-its-kind ballot initiative (Proposition FF) in Colorado, which will fund free meals for all students statewide and provide other critical investments in school nutrition programs, led by Hunger-Free Colorado.   

“CSPI is fortunate to have so many partners in this important work, representing diverse communities, experiences and approaches to improving the food environment,” said CSPI president Dr. Peter G. Lurie. “Working together in coalition will not only help us get to the finish line faster, but will help shape stronger, more equitable policies.” 

Chronic disease contributes to an estimated 529,000 deaths each year in the United States, primarily through heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. These new partnerships, made possible by support  from Bloomberg Philanthropies, will accelerate CSPI’s work to strengthen the nutrition and public health benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, support healthy and free school meals for all, ensure healthy options for children at restaurants, enact nutrient warnings on menus and labels, improve institutional procurement to incorporate healthier food options, and encourage promotion of healthier foods and drinks at supermarkets and other retailers.


More information about CSPI’s current grant partners can be found here.  

 

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