Campaign for Better Nutrition

Information may not be reliable

Our mission is to improve the nutrition children receive in public programs and at home so they can be healthier, learn more, and better achieve their dreams.

What do we do?We support low-income families by improving the nutrition they receive in public programs.

Why do we do it?Eating food that supports growth and development enables children to be healthier, learn more, and be more productive in society. With targeted help, parents and public food programs can provide children with markedly better nutrition and nutrition education.
What do we hope to accomplish?The food in public nutrition programs, like school meals and food pantries, will be significantly healthier and more appealing, and children will want to eat it. Parents will have the latest nutrition information and research, made easy to translate into menu planning. Families will feel empowered to take control of their health by using simple home-cooked meals and snacks that are affordable and support physical and cognitive growth.

Why do we focus on nutrition?Nutrition forms the base for childhood learning and health and provides strong threads in the fabric that knits families and communities together. Without sound nutrition, children cannot focus in class and their brains cannot develop properly. Poor nutrition decreases the ability of children to benefit from their education--it inhibits working memory, attention, and executive function, which is the ability to set goals, correctly evaluate options, and prioritize.

Health problems associated with poor nutrition take children out of the classroom for important instructional days each year. This includes problems related to dental health as well as a propensity to get and feel sick due to problems exacerbated by obesityincluding diabetes, suppressed immune function, lack of energy, sleep disorders, and depression. Low income children consume up to 80% of their daily caloric intake at school, making schools the first line of defense in improving their health and ability to learn. The effects of poor nutrition are not limited to low-income families. All our children are at risk when the food they receive is low in nutrients and dense in harmful ingredients, like processed sugar and refined grains.

How are we funded?
CBN operates as a nonprofit under the fiscal sponsorship of Community Initiatives. Major funding is provided by individual donors and The San Francisco Foundation.