Places that do not have much healthy food available, often called food deserts, are all over the US, in urban and rural areas. Sometimes they exist in places that ironically used to grow food, and are usually in low-income communities. In these locations, there is food to eat, but it’s not usually healthy food. Often there are few supermarkets, and there is a lot of land in between them. In these areas, junk food and fast food become the most available food. Individuals who live in food deserts often are overfed but undernourished, prone to overweight, obesity, diabetes and chronic illnesses.
In various cities in the U.S., various groups are partnering with corner stores to work to get the stores to carry healthier food choices. A group from L.A., called Market Makeover, who has worked to do makeovers at over three stores, has create a website with resources to help any group try to plan, partner, and work to create a “market makeover” in any city.
The project was created as part of the South L.A. Healthy Eating Active Community Initiative (HEAC), local high school students, and Public Matters. The groups worked together to transform 3 stores and out of the experience they have compiled a combination of helpful realworld information and creative, innovative strategies. The resoruces are available in multiple presentation formats including downloadable pdfs, videos, and other information.
One main message of the group is that there is not one single quick fix to get fresh food into neighborhoods that don’t have it. In the planning area on the site, there are resources that include a community resource mapping, a food assessment worksheet, food fact sheets, and marketing materials. In the During Area, there are materials to support developing strategies for different retail stores, information about transitioning a store, and also insights and advice from groups that have worked on doing a Market Makeover.
The site also has YUMTV, a video channel that has videos that use humor to present issues about food and health, and food challenges called, “So You Think You Can Cook?” All the videos, materials, and information can be seen on the Market Makeover website.
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marketmakeovers.org
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