April 18, 2017
ACTION ALERT: Oppose Harmful Delays in Menu Labeling Laws

The National Menu Labeling law - authorized as part of the Affordable Care Act - is set to go into effect May 5th, 2017. This law requires chain restaurants to provide consumers with calorie information for standard food and beverage items on menus. 

Although many national restaurants are already complying with these rules, some food-service establishments are trying to delay and weaken these laws. We can do better. 

Studies show that providing calorie information at restaurants can help people make healthier food choices. When adults make healthier choices, they model healthy behavior to their children. Studies shows that menu labeling does impact individual choice and even corporate behavior. After eighteen months of adhering to menu labeling regulations, chain restaurants in Washington State lowered the average caloric makeup of their entrees by 41 calories ( Washington Post).

Supporting transparency on restaurant menus will help parents and families make informed choices when choosing a meal. 

See this statement from Margo G. Wootan, CSPI Nutrition Policy Director, for additional information. 

CLOCC urges you to contact your congress member using the button below and oppose the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (S.261/HR.772) because limiting the nutritional information to the public that's in a restaurant meal does NOT make sense. 



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Join us Tomorrow at CLOCC's 5-4-3-2-1 Go!
Message Training

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, April 19th, for an opportunity to discover 5-4-3-2-1 Go!® , CLOCC's public education message containing recommendations for children and families to promote a healthy lifestyle. Developed in 2004 and launched as a mass-media campaign in 2009, 5-4-3-2-1 Go! has reached millions of individuals in communities throughout Chicago and beyond.

The message training is appropriate if it's your first touch with 5-4-3-2-1 Go! or if you're looking to refresh your familiarity with the material.

This free training will include:
  • Background information on the issue of childhood obesity
  • Information about the creation and dissemination of 5-4-3-2-1 Go! 
  • Strategies for incorporating the message in your programming
  • Opportunities for brainstorming and sharing ideas with colleagues and other community-based organizations

Wednesday, April 19, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Gads Hill Center
1919 W. Cullerton Street, Chicago, IL 60608

Walk-up attendees will be accommodated.
Please e-mail Elizabeth Gonzalez with questions. 

Upcoming Food Access Workshop to Focus on Youth Engagement. Registration now Open

Join us on Wednesday, May 3rd, to confront the barriers to youth engagement when addressing food access in schools, government, homes and local communities.

Access to healthy food is a challenge for Chicago families, however, exciting new initiatives are underway that involve youth in the solutions.  In this CLOCC workshop, Chicago youth and  mentors will share key strategies and current movements that lead, motivate and change healthy behaviors in themselves and their peers. Our panelists will highlight barriers and challenges to implementing improvements in their schools, government, home and local communities in Chicago.

The workshop is geared towards youth and individuals actively engaged in food access, food policy and community health.


Wednesday, May 3, 2017
4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Gary Comer Youth Center 
7200 Ingleside, Exhibit Hall B, 
Chicago, IL, 60619

Please RSVP through the link below. 
Registration will close Tuesday, May 2, at 5:00 p.m. or when attendance reaches capacity.





CLOCC Seeks Applicants for Early Childhood and School Systems Internships

The Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) is currently seeking applicants for a pair of part-time, unpaid internships to support CLOCC's work in preventing childhood obesity.

An internship focusing on Early Childhood will support CLOCC's Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative work and provide technical assistance to hospitals in the City of Chicago. Additionally, the intern will work with the Hospital Breastfeeding Council of Metro Chicago.      

CLOCC's School Systems and Early Childhood intern will support the Food and Fitness Partner Network, the +Network, The School Systems Interest Group, and the Healthy Teacher Network. The intern will also support Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative work and provide technical assistance to hospitals in the City of Chicago.

For more information on these positions, additional opportunities in obesity prevention, or to post your organization's own job openings, please visit CLOCC's Job Opportunities page

CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN THE NEWS
FUNDING & RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES
  • The 2017 Chicago Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support activities designed to promote peace, build trust, and strengthen relationships, and led by Chicago residents in 17 communities. These could include educational events, group or youth activities, resident leader stipends, recreational activities, festivals, performances, picnics, block-level activities and more. The Fund has a simple application process, and grants will be awarded quickly.  Applications must be submitted by May 4, 2017. 
  •  The American Public Health Association (APHA) is accepting nominations for several awards which will be presented at the 2017 APHA Annual Meeting and Expo. "Once a year, we think it is important to pause, take a step back, and honor those who have made extraordinary contributions to public health. Help us identify the best among us by nominating a colleague who exemplifies outstanding contributions." Nominations are due by Friday, May 5th.

T he Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC) is a nationally recognized leader for community-based obesity prevention. We support, coordinate, and unite partners to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children and families. Our multi-sector approach emerged in Chicago and can be adapted for use anywhere.