Food access

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity
is a national organization dedicated to reversing the childhood obesity
epidemic by changing public policies and creating healthier
environments in schools and communities. The center helps to shape and
coordinate the efforts of policy-makers, advocates and community
organizations by identifying and promoting the most promising
obesity-prevention strategies and supporting the nationwide movement to
improve food and physical activity environments.

Now is the best time of year to enjoy fresh produce from the farm or a garden.  It is also the season of farmers’ markets, that weekly whirl of crowds, colors, and tastes that even some low-income Americans are getting to enjoy, thanks to the generosity of foundations and the efforts of community groups, as detailed in the article posted from The Washington Post on May 27, 2009

Researchers found that the opening of a community garden had a statistically significant positive impact on residential properties within 1000 feet of the garden, and tht the impact increased over time. Gardens had the greatest impact in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods. Higher quality gardens had the greatest positive impact. Finally, researchers found that the opening of a garden was associated with other changes in the neighborhood, such as increasing rates of homeownership, and thus may be serving as catalysts for economic redevelopment of the community.

Leadership for Healthy Communities supports local and state government leaders nationwide in their efforts to reduce childhood obesity through public policies that promote active living, healthy eating and access to healthy foods.