Del Mar CA— This year’s Fair is sweet, in so many ways — and it’s not just about candy and deep-fried treats. We promise. From learning about how nature’s fruits and veggies grow and ripen to tracking your steps around the Fairgrounds and finding good-for-you snacks to keep you energized, there are a whole lot of naturally-sweet and healthier options to enjoy.
This year, the San Diego County Fair has partnered with the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative facilitated by Community Health Improvement Partners as well as Live Well @ Work, which is implemented by UCSD’s Center for Community Health. Both are projects of Live Well San Diego: Healthy Works and support Live Well San Diego, the county’s vision for a region that is “Building Better Health, Living Safely, and Thriving.” This partnership has helped to create a variety of fun, healthy offerings at this year’s Fair, including:

• Take your family out to the Farm and the CA Grown Exhibit to learn how to grow food in your own backyard from experts offering free daily agriculture talks.
• Download our food map which highlights the many vendors who are offering healthier food options at sdfair.com/healthier.
• Grab a walking map and get your 10,000 steps in while enjoying the Fair at our information booths or online at sdfair.com/healthier to maximize your walking and calorie burn throughout the fairgrounds.
• Look for vendors who source their ingredients locally — they’ll be featuring “I Buy Local” ribbons in their stands.
• Treat yourself to a foodie’s adventure at our Farm to Table dinner at 4:30 p.m. June 30 featuring courses prepared using ingredients from local farms.
• Get your sweat on at the San Diego County Fair 5k at 7 a.m. June 16.

Sure, you may still want to try out the bacon-wrapped baklava or cotton candy ice cream sandwich at the Fair, but the key is moderation according to Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Child Health Medical Officer at the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency.
“Many of the treats at the Fair are delicious, but should be enjoyed as treats, and not every day,” Dr. Sidelinger said. “The Fair doesn’t have to be all about indulgence. There are healthier options available to balance the treats. You can even get your steps in for the day by visiting different exhibits.”
Step it up
Check out this great Fair walking map. It outlines three fun walking routes around the Fairgrounds. If you complete all three, you’ll have your 10,000 steps for the day under your belt! Created through a partnership with Live Well @ Work, signage will direct you on your routes throughout the Fair to get in a fun walking workout.
All about agriculture
The San Diego County Fair, which began in 1880 to bring San Diego County farmers and the community together to share ideas, compete for the best pies and citrus fruits and challenge each other to horse races, continues to celebrate agriculture and community pride.
You’ll learn about growing your own fruits and veggies at the Farm and CA Grown Exhibit, learn how honey is made from the San Diego Beekeeping Society and sample delicious locally-sourced gourmet food at the Farm to Table dinner. Kids ages 6-11 can enjoy an educational shopping experience at Albertsons/Vons Kids Market Place where they’ll learn about the more than 400 agricultural commodities grown in California.
“In San Diego we are lucky to have a great climate for raising fruits and vegetables. Eating what is grown locally – and in season – means we can eat the sweetest fruits and vegetables, and get all of the nutrition that comes from getting our five fruits and vegetables each day,” said Dr. Sidelinger. “Plus, growing food at home can be fun, especially with children, and you’ll have the pride of being able to say, ‘I grew that!’”