The California Walnut Board's commitment to nutrition education continues through a new partnership with HealthCorps® (www.healthcorps.org), a proactive health movement founded and chaired by Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of "The Dr. Oz Show" and vice-chair and professor of surgery at Columbia University Medical Center.
HealthCorps is fighting the obesity and mental resilience crises by getting American students and communities across the country to become agents of change and help the country reach the tipping point towards wellness now and for the future of our children.
Like a Peace Corps for Health, this health movement engages recent college graduates who defer entry into medical school or graduate health programs to participate in public service through a two-year full time assignment at a designated public high school. HealthCorps also provides continuing professional development and activism opportunities to help Coordinators best serve their school communities. "Thanks to HealthCorps' teaching the importance of good nutrition, youth are learning the joys of whole food snacks, such as walnuts," states Dennis Balint, Executive Director of the California Walnut Board.
According to Michelle Bouchard, President of HealthCorps, "We are so fortunate to have the support of the California Walnut Board, an organization that is committed to America's health. With their support we are reaching more communities in California with our message to eat smart and stay physically active." The new partnership with the California Walnut Board will positively impact 1000 students and approximately 30,000 school staff, family and community members by providing for a HealthCorps Coordinator in each of the two California high schools currently involved in the program.