Fit Business Toolkit

In an effort to support California employers in promoting healthy eating and physical activity at their worksites, the California 5 a Day--Be Active! Worksite Program has created the Fit Business Tool Kit.  The Kit contains a variety of flexible, easy to implement tools which employers can customize and tailor to meet the needs of their employees at their individual worksites. These tools are designed to help employers make workplace wellness a reality for their employees through access to fruits, vegetables, and physical activity.

According to Dr. Desiree Backman, manager of the California 5 a Day—for Better Health! Campaign, it is important for all employers to make employee health a priority, but particularly those who employ low-income workers.  “Low-income Californians are disproportionately impacted by chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Employer supported wellness programs are essential to ensuring that employees have access to healthy foods and physical activity during the day,” explained Backman.  The California Fit Business Tool Kit is a free, online resource that can help employers create or enhance a healthy workplace, benefiting their employees and their bottom line.

The Fit Business Tool Kit currently contains four tools, the first of which is Healthy Meeting Policies.  Other tools include Healthy Vending Machine Guidelines, Healthy Dining Menu Guidelines, and Take Action!, a free, 10-week employee wellness program.

Over the next few months additional tools will be added to the Fit Business Tool Kit, such as a tool describing how to bring a farmers' market to your worksite.  Click here to access the Fit Business Tool Kit or go to: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/cpns/worksite.

In addition, the California 5 a Day-Be Active! Worksite Program will soon be releasing the California Fit Business Tips of the Month, which will include four tips-one for each week of the month that employers can disseminate to their employees.  The tips reinforce the healthy eating and physical activity message and provide examples of how to incorporate both into the workday. To sign up to receive these monthly email Tips, go to: http://www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/cpns/worksite.

There are many simple, low-cost strategies that can be implemented to create healthy, more productive work environments for all Californians!  Join the growing movement of employers who are providing and benefiting from healthy worksites.