When the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program (CCROPP) began three years ago it was difficult for it to gain access to make positive changes in the community, but thanks to partnerships with Fresno State, six health departments and community-based organizations, the program has a new home and a new start.

Just last week, the CCROPP held an open house to celebrate its new home west of Fresno State with the campus and the community.

Genoveva Islas-Hooker, the project coordinator for the program, said that with a new home, the program is able to grow even more and be “seen as a true resource to the community.â€Â

The program, which began in November 2005 and is funded by a $2.6 million grant from the California Endowment, strives for eating healthier and moving more by making changes in the community that yield healthy living.

The Obesity Prevention Program works to change the environment so that individuals can eat healthier foods and have places to be physically active. Focus is placed on low-income or rural communities, which lack resources to obtain fresh vegetables and fruits, and green areas for the community to exercise.

“Now we are able to build sidewalks, parks and even got food stamps accepted at flea markets in Madera,â€Â Islas-Hooker said.

With 10 years of experience in the health education field, Islas-Hooker believes that changes in society promote healthier living in the Central Valley. Along with improving parks and sidewalks, the CCROPP̢۪s focus in the community has been farmers markets, gardens, joint-use policies for schools, and additional recreational programs.

The Jan. 30 open house also awarded the 2008 Cultivator Awards to representatives from local counties such as Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare. The Cultivator Awards recognized their excellent efforts of seeing obesity as a problem in the Valley and making affirmative changes in the community through the environment, policies and systems.

“For example Greg Gatzka, of Kings County, did various building projects for his county, such as constructing parks,â€Â Islas-Hooker said.

Fresno State students are also encouraged to get involved. The program accepts students for internships during the fall semester and urges students to consider the difficulties in being able to eat healthier when communities lack sufficient resources in grocery stores, parks and recreational programs for children, teens and adults.

“With more parks and sidewalks individuals are able to be more active in the community,â€Â Islas-Hooker said.