Medical Motor Service of Rochester and Monroe County, Inc. on LinkedIn: Rochester Community Food Systems (2024)

A year from today, we were asked: “What will it take to create a more accessible, equitable, and complete food security system?”•We laid a foundation to this question and part of our solution is- solving food apartheid by recreating our own food system in East Knoxville through a Black led movement. ••We had the pleasure of presenting our year one shareout of our impact report. We are honored to be a part of the food and land justice work in our city. It excites us to think about the future of Black Knoxville's Food Landscape in East Knoxville. We wouldn't be able to do this work without United Way Greater Knoxville, Canvas Can Do Miracles, 3 Cubed plus a plethora of other partners who fund and support our movement. ••To think we are just at Y1 & have covered so much ground is astonishing. Again, we couldn’t do this without a receptive community, committed volunteers, aligned collaborators & partners.Last year, we had an ambition goal of establishing 100 gardens in the city by year 1. Well, we will have a count of 167+ gardens on the ground by December 2023.It’s an honor to lead this collective as it takes courage, grit, and fortitude to do this work while sowing seeds of resistance and wisdom.Knox County United Way #foodapartheid #growfoodnotlawns #foodrevolution #oppressivefoodsystems #dismantlethesystem #foodjustice #redlining #foodswamp #thecoloroflaw #foodinsecurity #fooddisparities #supportlocal #community #foodmovement #meikmeals #battlefieldfarms #ROOTEDEAST #thefoodfighters #eastsidefoodnetwork #powertothepeople #restoration #foodiscurrency #decolonizeourfoodsystems

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Tune in for this episode of Darby & Friends to get an interesting perspective to the ongoing issue of #foodinsecurity.

Food is not just a basic necessity; it is a fundamental human right. Yet, millions of people around the world continue to suffer from food insecurity, struggling to access nutritious meals on a daily basis.🌍 Why is addressing food insecurity so crucial? Here are a few reasons:1️⃣ Humanitarian impact: Food insecurity has severe consequences for individuals and communities, leading to malnutrition, poor health, and even loss of life. By addressing this issue, we can significantly improve the well-being and quality of life for millions.2️⃣ Sustainable development: Access to sufficient and nutritious food is not only essential for individuals' health but also a key component of sustainable development. By ensuring food security, we lay the foundation for economic growth, social stability, and environmental sustainability.3️⃣ Social equality: Food insecurity often disproportionately affects marginalized populations, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. By focusing our efforts on addressing this issue, we can work towards a more just and equitable society, where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.4️⃣ Climate resilience: Climate change poses significant challenges to food production and availability, exacerbating food insecurity. By adopting sustainable agricultural practices, promoting climate-smart solutions, and implementing resilient food systems, we can adapt to these challenges and build a more resilient future. Be part of the solution. 🔑 We're offering funding in the U.S. and UK for groups interested in starting community projects to address food insecurity. Apply for funding to start a #CommunityFridge: https://bit.ly/3WZem5ZOrganize a Little Free Pantry in your community: https://bit.ly/3qCzOBw #sustainability #community #food #foodinsecurity #climatechange

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Hunger lives in every corner of New Jersey. It's time to fix that.The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and just announced the launch of the New Jersey Food Security Initiative (NJFSI).NJFSI is more than an initiative. It’s a collaboration of community organizations and local and state with a commitment to end hunger's grip on New Jersey and advance health equity across the Garden State.NJFSI is built upon the invaluable insights of those who have experienced food insecurity firsthand. This initiative doesn't stop at addressing the symptoms of food insecurity; it aims to tackle root causes. By enhancing equitable access to nutritious food, empowering community development initiatives, and providing essential infrastructure, NJFSI will drive lasting change.Together, we can put hunger in the past.https://lnkd.in/eKxE_-Ww#healthequity #foodinsecurity

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S:US Food Security programs, like Urban Farms and Community Fridges, are embedded into our core services to address food insecurity. Read our Food Security White Paper for more insight: https://lnkd.in/ekhXMMWx

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I am often asked: “why does addressing food insecurity for children and youth matter so much?”Rite Aid Healthy Futures has endeavored to answer this important question by working closely with community leaders, innovative organizations and resilient neighborhoods over the last two years through our Strengthening Cities initiative. It has been quite a motivating and high-stakes journey.The “Nourishing Neighborhoods” report offers many strategies and stories across six great American cities, uplifting opportunities ranging from youth leadership and school partnerships to urban farming and food systems. Ultimately, I believe there are three compelling answers to “why healthy food?” is so critical for our children:1) There is a direct line between nutritious food, good health and racial equity to improve health outcomes and ultimately prevent many chronic and life-threatening medical conditions during youth or adulthood, which disproportionately affect Black and Brown neighbors and neighborhoods.2) Nutritious food is the “everyday factor” that unlocks value to other vital social determinants of health, such as education. When kids aren’t hungry at school, their cognitive function and learning potential increases dramatically.3) By listening and learning from front-line organizations and local residents, we can provide much-needed agency to youth, plus dignity and sovereignty to communities, creating hope and health that spans the seasons of years and lives.Healthy food matters at every age and stage of life. It singularly and pervasively touches everyone all the time. But with one in five Americans facing food insecurity, we must move with more purpose and urgency to eradicate hunger in America. It is a moral and social imperative.Please read the “Nourishing Neighborhoods” report and share your own experiences and perspectives. Together, let’s author a new narrative and change conditions so healthy futures are truly attainable for all!- Matt

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Where we live, work, and play can have a huge effect on our health. Here in North County, we're fortunate to have plenty of access to nature and favorable weather, allowing us to be active outdoors all year round. Plus, many of our SDNEDC investors (including Solutions for Change, San Diego Food Bank, San Diego Water Authority, and Olivenhain Municipal Water District) are dedicated to maintaining healthy, clean, and safe neighborhoods where residents have access to nutritious food and clean water regardless of income level.Solutions for Change is on a mission to address the root causes of homelessness, transforming lives and restoring lives through community-focused solutions. (including North County Food Bank in Vista) is the largest hunger-relief organization in the county, distributing 44 million pounds of food last year and serving an average of 400,000 people per month. Their efforts are vital in combatting nutrition insecurity, which affects 1 in 4 San Diegans, including 214,000 children.The San Diego County Water Authority and Olivenhain Municipal Water Dst prioritize the delivery of safe water to our communities. With rigorous water quality monitoring and testing, providing high-quality, safe water to residents 24/7.Together, through investments and initiatives focused on Healthy Neighborhoods, we're building a healthier, more vibrant North County for all. #NPHW #HealthyNeighborhoods #CommunityHealth

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Check out this brief news story to learn more about the Springfield Community Gardens and Community Partnership of the Ozarks collaboration to "Nourish the Ozarks!"

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🔍🌱 Buckle up – we're diving deep into a critical issue! 🚀 Our latest blog uncovers the shocking rise of food deserts in Black and underserved communities. Get ready for mind-blowing stats, actionable solutions, and a whole lot of empowerment. Let's make #EquitableAccess a reality! 💪🏾🌍 #DefinitiveInsights #TheDSGWay #FoodJustice #CommunityEmpowerment #BetterAccess #SocialImpact 📊👉🏾https://lnkd.in/gdbUaB-K

Educating younger generations about local food systems can ensure a sustainable future.We'd all agree that our kids are the future, and teaching them about the importance of local food can set the stage for a more sustainable world. Here's an amazing fact. According to the National Farm to School Network, schools with farm-to-school programs see a 10% increase in test scores. When I lived in Redondo Beach, CA, each elementary school had a garden where students learned how to grow fruit and vegetables. The obesity rate among those schools was 9%, far lower than the national average. One of our future initiatives at KC Foodways will be supporting organizations in Kansas City that are helping kids learn about food and local food systems. Here's an easy step: Volunteer at your local school to teach kids about local food.#LocalFood #LocalFoodKC #KCFoodways