California Project LEAN is a nationally recognized program with a proven track record of improving the food and activity environment in California communities and schools. Over the past 15 years, California Project LEAN has either conducted projects that have increased access to healthy foods and physical activity options in community settings through policy and environmental changes or provided technical assistance to others implementing similar efforts. Below is an overview of some of California Project LEAN's achievements:
- From 2005 through 2010, California Project LEAN is providing technical assistance on schools for The California Endowment’s obesity prevention programs, Healthy Eating, Active Communities and the Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program.
- In 2004, California Project LEAN received the Innovation in Prevention Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for its work at increasing school boards’ adoption of healthy nutrition policies prior to the federal mandate for local school wellness policies.
- In 2003, former Senator Tom Torlakson commended California Project LEAN's research on soda and snack foods in schools and said it helped him frame soda and junk food contract legislation for public schools.
- In 2002, Senator Martha Escutia commended California Project LEAN's work commissioning the 2000 California High School Fast Food Survey and launching a media advocacy campaign around it, noting it was the impetus for her legislation restricting unhealthy foods and beverages in public schools.
- In 2001, California Project LEAN received top honors (a Crystal Award) from the International Association of Business Communicators, Sacramento Chapter, for its public relations campaign releasing the 2000 California High School Fast Food Survey.
- California Project LEAN's Food on the Run project, which operated in 30 low-resource California school districts to improve the nutrition and activity environments for K-12 public school students, received a 2000 Dannon Award for Excellence in Community Nutrition for successfully engaging youth and increasing the number of healthy foods at high schools.
