Institute Grows as a National Thought and Action Leader

From Anaheim to Baltimore, the Institute at the Golden Gate is spreading its knowledge and establishing itself as a leading voice on the Food for the Parks and Healthy Parks Healthy People initiatives. Here are a few national events at which staff shared—and will share—the Institute’s growing body of knowledge and best practices.

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress and Exposition
October 16 –18

In Anaheim, Ca., the Institute presented on new healthy food guidelines that have been designed for concessionaires operating in the 10,000 parks across the nation. The guidelines will help ensure that millions of visitors each year are being offered local, healthy, sustainable, and humane food options.

Attendees learned about best practices and tools to help them transition to menu options that are more consistent with park values that sustain the environment, improve public health, boost local economies, and protect human and animal welfare.

Institute Director Chris Spence, food expert Larry Bain, and Program Manager Melissa Tsang were on hand to speak about overcoming hurdles—and reaping benefits—through the transition to healthier food alternatives. The audience also learned how the Institute at the Golden Gate’s Food for the Parks initiative could have implications for sustainable food system change beyond our nation’s parks.

http://www.nrpa.org/Congress2012/

2012 NET IMPACT Conference
October 25–27

On October 27, Institute Director Chris Spence will be in Baltimore, Md., speaking at the 2012 Net Impact Conference. Chris is a panelist for a session on “Improving Access to Healthy Food,” along with experts from the corporate sector and a communications group.  He spoke about the healthy food movement, and particularly the Institute’s work to support bringing healthy, sustainable food to park users. 

http://netimpact.zerista.com/

Public Lands Institute
October 30

Institute staff are scheduled to speak about its work organizing for collective impact on Healthy Parks Healthy People at the Partnerships on Public Lands Workshop 2012 in Asilomar, Ca. The workshop features a variety of distinguished speakers and panelists from private businesses and public agencies specializing in outdoor recreation.

The Institute will be joined on the panel “Ensuring Social Connections through Park Experiences” by Robert E. Doyle, General Manager of East Bay Regional Park District; Tiffany Margulici, Reservations Supervisor at East Bay Regional Park District; and Sean Senti of California Parks Company.