How can food banks work with local farmers and provide sustainability for local farms and people in need of fresh healthy foods? Partnering with local farmers, Mainers Feeding Mainers program, part of the Good Shepard Food Bank of Maine (17.6% Latino) has started an innovative way to capture and provide fresh foods to over 37,000 people. How do they make it happen? The simple system and social mission to help those in need have nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables have helped the program partner with over 30 local farms throughout the state since 2010. Over 60,000 children are suffering in Maine from food insecurity, explained Kristen Maile in the programs web page video. Maile went on to explain that it doesn't matter what the vegetables look like, or their shape or size, ...
A new book by mathematician Cathy O’Neil details the ways that math is being “used” to create (both intentionally and unintentionally) further racial inequities and inequalities in the United States. In a new book entitled Weapons of Math Destruction, O’Neil shows how algorithms and data, which are used in everything from targeted advertising to insurance rates to police presence, are often being used against minorities. “I worried about the separation between technical models and real people, and about the moral repercussions of that separation,” O’Neil wrote in the book. In her book, O’Neil’s models all use proxies as stand-ins for what people are actually trying to measure. For example, police officers analyze zip codes to deploy patrols, employers also use ...
According to Michigan State University, in Detroit, Michigan, up to 52% of Latino children live in poverty, and where there is poverty, many times there is little to no access to fresh vegetables or healthy foods. But new considerations for the state's urban agricultural laws may help provide new small business opportunities for indoor and vertical farming and also help increase access to healthier food within the state. A new urban agriculture ordinance is being proposed to increase zoning districts for indoor agriculture that would take into account smaller businesses and operations that could help provide healthy fresh foods like Kale, lettuce and more. The new policy change could also open up the over 78,000 vacant buildings that are not being utilized for any business, city ...
Residents in Columbia, Missouri (3.4% Latino) can now alert Parks and Recreation staff to maintenance and other issues through an online tool. Park and trail users can report a problem, pin the location, and upload a photo to an interactive map here. They can also follow their report to track progress. Access to safe parks plays a huge role in overall health and wellness by promoting physical activity and improving mental health. Unfortunately, Latinos are disproportionately burdened by lack of access to healthy resources like safe places to walk, bike, and play. Technology can play a major role in identifying reducing social and environmental barriers, such as broken fences, poor lighting, litter, and crime. Ensuring that residents have the power to identify and ...
The first ever water park for people with special needs is under construction in San Antonio, TX (68% Latino) and should open in spring of 2017. Gordon Hartman, CEO of The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation, opened Mogran's Wonderland, an amusement park with special-needs individuals in mind in 2010. Since 2013, he has been working with water park consultants, local doctors, and special-needs therapists on Morgan's Island Inspiration, the soon-to-be water park with special-needs individuals in mind. In 2013, Hartman built Toyota Field-an attempt to bring MLS to San Antonio-as well as the South Texas Area Regional Soccer Complex for youth and adult club soccer. He announced plans for the new $9.9 million water park the day after he sold to the City of San Antonio and Bexar ...
The city of Austin, Texas (34.83% Latino population) recently introduced the candidates for the newly created position of Equity Officer for the city at a town hall event. The newly created position will head an office of two to three staff members focused on identifying disparities in current city programs and services. The office will also work with community groups to ensure equal access to these programs and services. In order to reduce health disparities, it is critical to address inequities in programs, practices, and policies. Join our site, connect with others, and get involved. Residents of Austin petitioned the city to create the position due to the growing number of minorities leaving the city. The increased cost of living has been a key concern for minorities ...
The fight against the beverage industry for Boulder, Colo.'s sugary tax measure to be put on the ballot has been contested back and forth. Two protests from a city attorney circulated but local Judge, Norma Sierra, ruled that the petition was valid and Boulder City Clerk Lynette Beck also denied the protester's appeal. Now, the measure for the sugary beverage tax is officially on the measure on November's ballot. Healthy Boulder Kids campaign manager, Angelique Espinoza is a supporter of the tax and explained to local news that the closer they get to the tax the more they can ensure a way to increase healthy foods and activities for kids in Boulder. Boulder, Colo. is a community with a growing Latino population (13.9%). Latino kids are often targeted by beverage companies and ...
Education has long been considered key in attaining financial and professional success in life and it is also tied closely into maintaining physical and mental health. Latinos have long lagged behind other races and ethnicities in the United States in terms of educational attainment. In the past decade, that has changed dramatically. In a survey conducted recently to gauge issues of importance among Latinos for the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, over 80% cited education as being important. For many Latinos, economic barriers or obstacles still play a substantial part in furthering education. While the rate of Latino high school dropouts has declined and college enrollment has increased, Latinos still trail other groups in earning bachelor’s degrees. In a 2014 National Journal poll, ...
A new pilot program is allowing a food bank to be a part of the Western New York Maritime Charter School (17% Latino), hoping to provide the over 80% of the students that rely on free school breakfast and lunches, a way to keep full even after school and focus on their studies. The $20,000 grant awarded from Dunkin' Donuts-Baskin Robbins Community Foundation, supports the new program, giving the Food Bank a way to provide for students and their families in a convenient way when families are short on time and funds. Many of the food options are packaged but offer nutritious proteins like cashew milk, canned tuna, and peanut butter. The Food Bank hopes to continue the pantry program to other schools and help provide food to families and students to ensure students are able to ...
