Long Beach residents are confronting the reality of cherished health programs being axed after the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services announced on Thursday the cessation of the Healthy Active Long Beach (HALB) program, as reported by the City of Long Beach. Linking the program's discontinuation to the federal government's budget cuts, specifically the halt in funding from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), HALB, which has been instrumental in promoting nutrition and fitness among locals, can no longer operate as it did for the past two decades.
The HALB initiative has notably impacted the community by enhancing food access, increasing opportunities for active lifestyles, and fostering overall community health. According to the health department's statement, the annual loss of $900,000 in SNAP-Ed funding has rendered it impossible to maintain HALB services such as nutrition education, support for improving fresh produce access at local markets, and the supply of resources to school gardens, all of which have reached approximately 30,000 residents yearly. As services officially ended on Sept. 30, 2025, the health department received some temporary funding from the California Department of Public Health to assist with the transition process, set to last until April 2026.
In a bid to keep some HALB initiatives afloat, the Health Department is collaborating with local partners like the Long Beach Unified School District and the Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department. The department remains dedicated to integrating activities that encourage physical activity and pedestrian safety, highlighting efforts such as the annual Walk to School Week. This event, among others, exemplifies the City's ongoing commitment to fostering healthy living regardless of the federal funding obstacles.
Citizens who want to support local health-based initiatives in the wake of these funding cuts can make tax-deductible donations to the Health and Human Services Fund via the Long Beach Community Foundation. The Long Beach Health Department also pledges to keep the public informed about any developments concerning the loss, and potential future loss, of federal funds and their impacts on city services. More information can be found by visiting the City's website dedicated to federal funding updates.
With cities throughout Los Angeles County facing similar challenges due to SNAP-Ed funding reductions, the conclusion of the HALB program signals broader implications for public health infrastructure and community wellness. For questions or media inquiries, contact details are provided for the Health Department’s Public Affairs Office through their official statement.
