Transforming Neighborhoods Into Beacons of Health
5.02.2019
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LISC StoriesHealth
A person’s ZIP code can impact his or her life expectancy.
Highlighted in the map below are food deserts in South LA. The yellow signifies low-income census tracts where more than 100 housing units do not have a vehicle and are more than ½ mile from the nearest supermarket, or a significant number or share of residents are more than 20 miles from the nearest supermarket. The green shows low-income census tracts where a significant number or share of residents is more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. This is the USDA definition of a food desert.
The life expectancy of Compton (77 years), Inglewood (81 years), Culver City (82.4 years), and Beverly Hills (86.4 years) correlate to the presence (or lack) of food deserts in those areas.
Dearth of access to the building blocks of life—produce that nourishes the cells of the body to power us in all of our activities—affects not just the health of those neighborhoods but also the wealth. Quality, wholesome, nutritious foods help ward off chronic diseases and obesity which are rife in these communities and thus place a cost burden on already financially strapped families.
We are working with “boots on the ground” to effectively combat food deserts in South LA. These boots belong to LA Food Policy Council (LAFPC). Through their Healthy Neighborhood Market Network program, LAFPC provides technical assistance to small business owners in low-income neighborhoods to bring healthy food to local residents.
“By working with store owners to champion healthy food access, our Healthy Neighborhood Market Network supports community vitality and economic development. Store owners receive training, guidance and upgrades to their stores, transforming them into beacons of healthy, affordable food. As a result, communities have more options for living a healthy life."
LISC LA is proud to support LAFPC’s Good Food Gala coming June 20th. This Gala is a fundraiser to support this work of bringing healthy food to low income communities and support to small business owners that care about the health and well-being of their customers.
