According to a recent article, 1 in 5 Michigan residents live in communities with limited access to healthy food.The National Council of La Raza reveals that Latinos are usually living in areas with little or no access to healthier food options, or living close to markets with only high pricing for foods. But Michigan Good Food Fund is changing the food that will be on the table for generations to come, by giving grants to help support economic growth in food businesses across the state. The coalition is looking to support local economies by supporting businesses that provide and distribute fresh produce to underserved communities. Examples of ways the funding will be incorporated are possible supermarket expansions, mobile markets in underserved neighborhoods, or food hubs. Also ...
Looking for the next best fresh farm produce for your school? Check out the new tool through Food hub to find resources and access to local farmers in your area, watch the video below to learn ...
Many parents struggle with knowing how to help their kids try new healthy options, especially in restaurants that limit kids menu's to a few select high-sodium dishes.
But how does one encourage their kid to try new healthy food options?
A recent article states that parents should consider the following steps to turn meals into teachable moments while dining out: Establish family norms: Take at home approaches and apply them when eating out, for example, no dessert at home or when eating out.
Be a role model: Show them how to eat healthy by choosing healthy options for yourself.
Take advantage of Kid's meals portion size: Many kid's meals are adult appropriate portion sizes for at fast food chains.
Prioritize nutrient-rich foods: Put healthy sides first by choosing fruits ...
School district reports from Hoonah, Alsaka showed the communities population at an 18% obesity rate. Sonja Engle, RN, itinerant public health nurse for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) wanted to help the community combat the obesity rate by bringing the community together and bringing awareness on the obesity epidemic.
Motivating local community partners, representatives from the school district, the Hoonah Indian Association, and the local health clinic, Engle developed the Hoonah Fun & Fit Partnership. The Partnership grew to include residents, community leaders, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Parents as Teachers, Hoonah Organizers for Peace and Equality, community youth centers, and local and state government agencies. Working together the Hoonah Fun ...
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015 or Dark Act, as commonly called, was approved by the House of Representatives on July, 23rd 2015. This bill preempts existing state mandatory labeling laws from existing. The bill will : Require local food farmers certification from the pro-GMO USDA to label anything GMO-free
Allow companies to label food as "natural" even if it contains GMO's
Allow dairy products to be labeled as non-bioengineered that are from animals fed bioengineered foods and foods developed using bioengineered aids
Block any federal or state action to require labeling of foods made with genetically engineered ingredients. To learn more about the bill, you can read a full article ...
Taste tests are being held every month at Dexter Community Schools, to help students eat healthier "one bite at a time", reports a recent article. Students now have the opportunity to try fresh local fruits and veggies from their own school gardens, and from local farmers. Produce that is taste tested and enjoyed by students and staff then becomes incorporated into the schools menu. With funding from the Chelsea Area Wellness Foundation, through the 5 Healthy Towns Project the school has been incorporating a farm to school approach since 2011, their school gardens also are helping the children learn about growing produce, as well as trying new foods. One of the parents in the school, mentioned in the article talks about how she got kids excited about eating healthy. “I did a ...
Need tools on how to get recess back into your school? Many Latino kids do not get the daily activity needed, and recess is one way to help them achieve a healthier physical lifestyle. The Right to Recess Campaign was started to assist those looking to have recess in their school by providing PTA members, parents, teachers, and community leaders the much needed tools to keep recess going in their schools. Need recess in your school? Click this link to access free ...
What is the most walkable route? Walking is considered one of the best exercise, as it is easy to do, doesn't cost anything, and can incorporated into a daily routine. However, walking is not always easy for Latino families to achieve with safe routes to schools and local grocers. How can you find the best route to walk? A new app dedicated to showing people the most "walkable" route is now available. The Walkability app uses star ratings to tell users just how easy it is to walk in that area by rating the routes' sidewalks, beauty, safety, and more. To learn more about how to use this resource, click ...
Can a rap song or graffiti art help kids eat healthier? Dr. Kevin Strong wanted to give it a shot and compete with the unhealthy marketing that kids—especially Latinos—are bombarded with daily. So founded the “Dunk the Junk” movement to work in schools and through social media to tailor health messages to kids in a fun way to counter junk food advertising. He uses rap, hip-hop dance, basketball, and graffiti art to change what kids think is cool to eat. “I love basketball and I would see a million junk food ads every time I watched,” Strong told Style101 Magazine. “I was just really saddened by the all children that are coming in [to my clinic] real young, devastated by junk food exposure.”
The Need for Counter Marketing
In his many years as a community ...
