2011 Fall Forum: Too Few Choices, Too Much Junk: Connecting Food and Health
UPDATE: With support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, video presentations of speakers in the “Snapshots of State and Local Solutions” portion of the meeting are available.
The U.S. food system and nutrition are rarely mentioned in the ongoing debate over health reform, yet billions of dollars are spent each year to treat diet-related diseases. At the same time, the rate of food insecurity has increased since the recent recession, with low-income communities of color at most risk. Children are also of special concern, as poor nutrition can harm their physical, mental, and social development. Adding urgency to the issue, over two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are now obese or overweight, and many experts believe that agricultural policies discourage healthy eating.
At this Issue Dialogue, grantmakers, researchers, and practitioners discussed our current food system, the connections between food access and health, and the role of the built environment. Updates will be provided on the Farm Bill; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and otherfederal policies related to food access, with ideas shared on how to maximize their potential. From locally-based approaches to broader efforts, funders examined promising solutions and opportunities to innovate, including healthy food financing initiatives, healthy food incentives, community kitchens, and food hubs.
To access speakers presentations from this Issue Dialogue, click on the link below.
“Snapshots of State and Local Solutions” video presentations:
- Jeffrey Brown, UpLift Solutions
- Mike Curtin, Jr., DC Central Kitchen
- Haile Johnston, Common Market Philadelphia
- Michel Nischan, Wholesome Wave