Curlee's article noted that UCCE has, "Knowledgeable, trained advisors ... on hand locally ... to help with meal planning, wise shopping, individual diet planning and overall nutritional health."
The column was prompted by the January-March issue of California Agriculture journal, a special issue focusing on "Healthy Families and Communities." In the opening editorial, former California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin said the state is facing a crisis in the health and education of its young people, Curlee reported.
“The challenges include high childhood obesity, rising school dropout rates and low student achievement, especially in the sciences," Eastin said. “Healthy families and children are vital to our nation and its prosperous future. It is time that key players in higher education join in a project to promote the general welfare by focusing on measurable scientific initiatives we can pursue to ensure the blessings of liberty to our posterity.”