On Thursday, March 9, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan to address “persistent problems of poverty, violence, and poor health” in the borough of Brooklyn (28.92% Latino population). The eight-pronged plan hopes to incorporate holistic approaches to address these concerning issues. The initiative, entitled Vital Brooklyn, looked to poor resources several economically struggling neighborhoods in Brooklyn. While much of Brooklyn has prospered in recent years, crime and unemployment are still rampant in certain areas. “For too long investment in underserved communities has lacked the strategy necessary to end systemic social and economic disparity,” Cuomo said in an interview with The New York Times. “But in Central Brooklyn those failed approaches stop today. We ...
A new Farm to School project that aims to expand farm to school activities in Native communities is looking to give five $5,900 mini-grants to expand and promote farm to school in native schools. Many generations of native peoples of North America have celebrated a connection to land, food, and community, and use of traditional foods. This new project hopes to expand community-wide initiatives towards building food security around food sovereignty as well as bring traditional foods like blue corn and bison into school menus. To learn more about the grant opportunities, check out the Seed Change in Native Communities with Farm to School and apply here. Applications are due March 22nd, 2017 for schools or early child care and education sites that are looking to expand or jumpstart ...
Many supporters and opposers of the newly proposed 2-cents-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages stood in lines for hours to voice their opinions about whether the governing body should put the question before voters during May's special election. Supporters of the tax, like Paul Gibson wanted the special election, explaining that it is a worthy investment to spend the estimated $85,000 for the special election as voters will be distracted by other issues in May. However, employees of the soda industry urged to delay the vote or find another funding source for pre-K, as the tax is proposed to support funding of pre-kindergarten for low-income families. One employee, Joseph Sanchez explained to Santa Fe New Mexican news, that they aren't bad people and they support help for ...
About 60% of adults with arthritis are working age-ages 18-64 years old, according to a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis is a disabling chronic condition that can lead to severe joint pain and poor physical function and negatively affect quality of life. Physical activity, like walking, swimming, or biking, can decrease arthritis pain and improve physical function; however, people with arthritis are often concerned about worsening pain and damaging joints. Download the March 2017 Vital Signs Fact Sheet. Although Latinos had a lower rates of arthritis, they had a far higher rates of physical limitations due to arthritis. Pain and safety concerns often leads to limited mobility which could ...
Soda's, sweet teas, energy drinks, and sugary beverages of all types have been the uproar of news lately as many cities across the nation are considering sugary beverage taxes to reduce high rates of type 2 diabetes, obesity and other related diseases. Now lawmakers in various states including Tennesse, Florida, and Michigan are considering a ban on soda for all purchasers who want to use food stamps or state-issued Bridge Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT) cards. Even Arkansas introduced a similar bill last year, where EBT users would not be allowed to purchase foods that have "sufficient nutritional value". The bill was passed but is now waiting for the votes from the Senate, according to local 5 News online. These bans would not allow any EBT card user from being able to purchase ...
Are you working to pass a tax on sugary drinks in your community, considering whether to pursue one or counseling others on how to get one adopted? Do you want to learn what it took to field and win tax campaigns? This one-hour webinar is for you. Panelists will share lessons learned from both ballot measure and legislative campaigns. Larry Tramutola and his California political consulting firm were the strategists behind successful ballot campaigns in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. Jessie Bradley of Hilltop Public Solutions provided strategic guidance to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney as he shepherded a tax to pay for pre-K and other initiatives through City Council.
WHO: Larry Tramutola, President/CEO of Tramutola political consulting
essie Bradley, Partner, Hilltop ...
A new taste test around breakfast cereals made one school in New York switch its breakfast brand of cereals of Kellogg's popular Kashi brand, to a small local upstart brand called Back to the Roots, known for lower levels of sugar, salt, and calories. The local company's cereal is also organic, free of preservatives and doesn't artificially add vitamins, Breitbart reports. Kids preferred Back to the Roots brands over other cereals, and the school will now be offering more of the local brand but still offering some of other big brands including General Mills, Post Foods. The local cereals that advertise stoneground flakes, made of purple corn and organic whole grain ingredients are being implemented in the free-breakfast program across the largest school system in New York ...
A new funding opportunity is rising from Voices for Healthy Kids, working to ensure that all children have access to healthy food and physical activity where they live, learn, and play. The purpose of the Strategic Campaign Fund Incubator opportunity is to support innovative advocacy approaches that align with Voices for Healthy Kids policy priorities. Funding requests may range from $15,000 to $30,000 and all grants awarded will be 100% non-lobbying funding and all applications must be submitted by the deadline on Friday, March 31, 2017, 5 pm EST. To learn more about the incubator opportunity email Shannon.Melluzzo@heart.org and/or register for the webinar on the Incubator Application 101 being held, Monday, March 6th from 2-3pm EST. The webinar will review the funding ...
Latino kids who live in areas with higher levels of air pollution have a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. USC researchers tracked 314 overweight/obese Latino kids ages 8-15 in L.A. County. None had diabetes at study start. But by the time kids turned 18, those who lived in areas with high levels of air pollution had 13% less-than-normal efficiency in their insulin-producing cells, making them more prone to eventually developing diabetes, according to USC news. These children lived in neighborhoods that, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, had excess nitrogen dioxide and tiny air pollution particles that are generated by automobiles and power plants. “Exposure to heightened air pollution during childhood increases ...
