Once a year, the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness and the California Department of Health Services, 5 a Day - Be Active! Worksite Program calls upon both corporate and nonprofit employers throughout the state to compete in the California Fit Business Awards sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

The benefits of a healthy workplace include a reduction in sick days, a less stressful atmosphere, and the possible prevention of diabetes or heart attacks. The awards recognize innovative employee wellness programs that are focusing Californians' attention on healthfully balancing their personal lifestyles and work.

A Glance at the Fit Business Awards

An impressive array of programs are put forth each year for the California Fit Business Awards. In 2007, the larger corporate entities such as American Apparel, USAA, Cisco Systems and a few others received the highest honors -- the "Gold Awards." Other categories include the Silver and Bronze Awards as well as Honorable Mentions.

This year Healthy Fontana, the City's own health and wellness outreach program, received a Silver Award for the program's unique approach to employee nutrition and fitness programming.

Councilmember Acquanetta Warren, who has played a major role in the creation of the Healthy Fontana program and its role within the community, added, "I am very proud that we have achieved this award through the great programming our staff has implemented."

"Through the City's Healthy Fontana Program, the City promotes and engages employees in a myriad of physical activity options from Walking Clubs, and Inter-Departmental Challenges to multiple recreational program classes offered throughout the City. The City is also committed to providing employees with good nutritional information, stretch breaks, on-site fitness activities and various programs and opportunities," said Frances Hernandez, acting community services manager for the City.

The awarding authority, California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, selects the winners based on both the creativeness and success rates of the employee health programs. From providing company bicycles for riding across corporate campuses to healthier food options in the cafeteria or vending machines, the employers selected for the Fit Business Awards are making physical fitness opportunities more available and more appealing.

Fontana Takes Action

Locally, the Healthy Fontana wellness program for employees has had enormous success for the City of Fontana workforce.

"We have had numerous employees join the program and become quite active. The Library Foundation and the sports program have both come to us with their own ideas of how to creatively build a healthier workforce. These proposals have led to great programs such as the Biggest Loser contest which helped employees lose inches and raise money for the new Lewis Library and Technology Center and the Lunchtime Fitness Challenge," says Dede Benson, community services coordinator for Healthy Fontana.

"Various departments are now becoming more physically and socially active at lunchtime with Inter-Departmental challenges. Several of the teams have come up with slogans that are emblazoned on shirts. Officemates usually attend the events displaying banners and shouting words of encouragement. The casual banter from the teams that has resulted from the spirited lunchtimes has been lighthearted and has become a great mental break for employees who work long hours under tight deadlines often too busy to stop and walk away from their desks for a nutritious lunch," adds Benson.

Other parts of the program such as the walking clubs and cooking classes have been incorporated into the complete package. Fitness classes are open to employees at lunchtime with some signing up to learn Karatedo and others enjoying a midday yoga class. Early risers or those who leave later can also catch a periodic Boot Camp session before or after work from local instructor, Katherine Davis.

Healthy Fontana - Always Raising the Bar

The recent Silver Award is just one recognition mixed with many local accolades for the hard work and effort being put into the Healthy Fontana program.

"The City of Fontana's Healthy Fontana Program is honored to have achieved such a significant recognition. The State of California recognized the City's exceptional commitment in promoting and encouraging Nutrition, Health and Fitness in the work place. The City of Fontana was one of four cities in California that received the 2007 California 'Fit Business Silver Award'.

"The Community Services Department Healthy Fontana Employee Wellness Program sets the standard for the residents of the community and serves as a corporate role model for other businesses within the community," says Hernandez.

For further information about the Healthy Fontana program, please visit www.healthyfontana.org. To read a detailed account about the Biggest Losers program, please read "Weighting in Fontana" from 1/10/2007 and "'Biggest loser' win in city competition" at www.fontanalibrary.org/pressroom.asp. Other information is also available for 5 a Day at www.dhs.ca.gov and www.wellnesstaskforce.org. A Healthy Fontana cookbook will soon be available, please call (909) 350-6542 for further details. Healthy Fontana cooking classes are available for viewing on KFON - Channel 3 every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m.