National Nutrition Month took place in March, focusing on the importance of nutrition education and access in our community. See how together with our Community Benefit partners, we’re supporting people with diabetes and prediabetes, promoting physical activity, and providing more affordable, nutritious food for all.
Each March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics leads National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign focused on the role of nutrition in overall health. This year’s theme, “Discover the Power of Nutrition,” highlighted how access to healthy food and nutrition education can help communities thrive.
According to the American Heart Association, more than half of the daily calories in the average person’s diet in the United States come from ultra-processed foods. Research shows that diets rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean proteins are linked to better health outcomes, including improved heart health and reduced risk of chronic disease. Expanding access to nutritious food and practical nutrition education is essential to helping families build and sustain healthy lifestyles.
In the fiscal year 2026 Implementation Strategy Report and Community Benefit Plan, Diabetes & Obesity was identified as a top health need. To respond to this need, El Camino Health has partnered with local organizations who support nutrition education and healthy lifestyles. Examples include these Community Benefit partners:
- African American Community Service Agency offers health workshops, cooking and exercise classes, screenings, and referrals for low-income children and families from underserved communities of color in San Jose and throughout Santa Clara County.
- Gardner Health Services supports people with diabetes or prediabetes, providing individual assessments with bilingual registered dietitians and certified diabetes educators, access to health coaches and nutrition workshops.
- Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley helps youth with or at risk of prediabetes or diabetes, providing medical nutrition therapy appointments with a registered dietitian, personal training sessions with a fitness coordinator and more.
- Los Gatos–Saratoga Recreation’s 55 Plus Program guides activities, workshops and support groups to address social isolation among older adults in and near Los Gatos. Examples include functional fitness classes, supported exercise training and a Food for Thought monthly workshop.
- Valley Verde empowers San Jose residents with knowledge and skills to grow healthy organic produce for themselves and their communities.
We highlight two of these Community Benefit partners in this month’s issue of Community Connections.
Subscribe to get the Community Connections e-newsletter. We promise not to share your information, and we won't overload your inbox. Sign-up now.
