County Executive Falk Launches New Dane County Activity and Nutrition (DaneCAN) Initiative

August 11, 2004
Sharyn Wisniewski, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 David Carlson, Dane County Human Services, 242-6424 Jill Camber-Davidson, DaneCAN Coordinator, 242-6530
County Executive

“Eat Your Colors!,” advises a website launched today by Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk to promote the new DaneCAN (Choosing Activity and Nutrition) coalition formed to help area residents lead a healthier lifestyle. Orange—as in carrots, mangoes, winter squash, pumpkin or sweet potatoes—for instance, provides Beta-carotene and Vitamin C that help fight cancer and protect against damage from sunlight and pollution. “Promoting good nutrition and physical activity are our two man goals,” said Falk. “By going to www.danecan.org, you can easily get information on how to eat better and be more physically fit.” DaneCAN brings together a coalition of over 65 members from the medical and health fields as well as education, fitness, food service and hospitality industries to join forces to provide the resources that empower smart choices. DaneCAN is working to create a better quality of life for Dane County residents by establishing healthy living initiatives, developing partnerships in the community and acting as a resource agent. In Dane County, 36% of the population is reported to be overweight and 21% are obese. “We’re forming new partnerships with food service operators and restaurants as well as health care professionals to help them better promote good nutrition and physical activity,” said Falk. Jill Camber Davidson, registered dietitian and coordinator of DaneCAN, is working with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association and area restaurants to help them develop and promote healthy dining choices on their menus. Dane CAN is working closely with other groups including the “Fit City Madison” initiative, city and county Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programs, the Dane County Hunger Prevention Council, the Madison District Dietetic Association, the Wisconsin Dietetic Association, HeadStart, UW Extension-Dane County and area school districts, health care providers and interested parents. DaneCAN is coordinated by the Dane County Human Services Department’s Division of Public Health. Dane County last year received a $40,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin’s Women Infant and Children (WIC) program to start the DaneCAN initiative. For more information, contact Jill Camber Davidson, RD, CD, CLC, the coordinator for DaneCAN, at 242-6530 or camberdavidson@co.dane.wi.us. . Restaurants interested in learning more about the DaneCAN Restaurant program are also invited to contact Camber-Davidson. # # #