FOOD
INSECURITY
Research shows food deserts and food swamps are abundant in minority neighborhoods.
The Food and Nutrition Program
African Americans are more likely to have and die from cardiovascular disease and diabetes according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health.
The Food and Nutrition Program at The Center for Black Health & Equity was started in May 2021 to address Food Insecurity, a core influencer on African American health. Ongoing efforts in this work include: The Healthy Food Initiative and Healthy Retail Project, funded by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, as well as School Meals for All NC, funded by North Carolina Alliance for Health.
The Healthy Food Initiative and Healthy Retail Project works with coalitions in Atlanta, Cleveland, and New Orleans in the hopes of passing legislation and policies that will affect the way unhealthy food is promoted in stores and make healthy food more accessible.
The School Meals for All NC coalition works throughout the state of NC and advocates for policy change that ensures every child in every public school in NC has access to breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to their families.
TAKE ACTION
"Communities of color should have choices and not be manipulated with excessive promotion at the checkout area and throughout the store to buy foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt".