rough draft :paper 4

Brittney Miller

Professor Thomas

Composition 102

11 April 11, 2013

Coming together to make a huge difference: Solutions to help low-income families

Buy healthy foods for their families and communities

There is no doubt that millions of people are struggling in America due to the high prices in the grocery stores and even in fast food restaurants. The main victims who are affected by the rise in prices are the low-income families. An article written by the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter states that the price of a loaf of white bread has risen nearly 25 cents, red delicious apples are up 20 cents a pound, from 96 cents to $1.16, and eggs have jumped from around $1.45 to $2.18. The rise in prices makes low-income families struggle to feed their families healthy foods. Also because of the low prices of unhealthy foods it increased the obesity rate in America, but not only did the obesity rate go up so did other medical problems like heart disease and high blood pressure. An article by Tammy Esteves states that According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than one third of adults in the United States were obese in 2009-2010.

The high prices in healthy foods are a terrible problem because it affects the entire community, but especially the low income families. As the prices continue to rise each year due to the struggling economy, communities need to raise awareness and provide information about ways to buy non-expensive healthy foods for their families. With this being said, I would like to offer a modest proposal to help the low-income families buy healthy foods for their families and to reduce obesity. We, as Americans, need to get the community to come together and have their own co-op, and to encourage the low-income families to shop at the farmers market.

The Problem:

            “More than 23 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, live in low-income urban and rural neighborhoods that are more than a mile away from a supermarket. These communities, where access to affordable, quality, and nutritious foods is limited, are known as "food deserts." ” (letsmove.gov) 23 million! That’s devastating to know that there are no supermarkets close by so that low-income families can get nutrients foods. The author Jamie Zoellner, states that a poorer food environment, such as higher concentration of fast food restaurants and a limited selection of fresh produce in grocery stores and markets in low income areas tend to lead to obesity. This is another huge problem that Americans face. According to the United States government, nearly 7 out of 10 American adults weigh too much. (NyTimes) That’s more than half of the people in the U.S that are obese. Even though these are huge problems we still can come up with ways to fix these problems.

The Solution:

            Many people today is unaware what a co-op is, a short definition of it is “ co-ops provide the framework that allows people to get what they want in a way that better meets their economic, social and cultural needs”. (strongertogether.coop) so, in other words, having a co-op in a community can first bring the communities together and have them work together to produce fruits and vegetables for the community. What many Americans don’t know is that there are millions of co-ops throughout America today. In an article by Bill Brockhouse, who is a member of the USDA Rural Development/Cooperative Program, writes about how a community in North Carolina came together and established The North Carolina Farm-To-School Cooperative. With this the community can grow and supply fresh and healthy produce to the school children. Bill mentions in his article that the support of schools offers an opportunity to teach children about the source of their food and how it is produced. He also mentions that the co-op holds 30 members who supply 12 commodities such as apples, blueberries, and cabbage. This is one example on how great co-ops can be and how it can help the children eat right and know how important it is to eat healthy.

Another example on how a co-op can be a great solution to help low-come families is the “Let’s move!” Michelle Obama campaign. The “Let’s Move!” campaign is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools, ensuring that every family has access to healthy affordable food, and helping children become more physically active. (letsmove.gov) Michelle Obama states many ways on how to keep our children healthy and active. She also states great ideas to help low-income families with buying inexpensive healthy foods. One of her great solutions is to have a community garden. By having a community garden people from all ages can come together and help produce fruits and vegetables for their community. This can help people who can’t afford healthy foods to get these produce for cheap or even free.

How to get started:

This may seem like it will be difficult. Many people today do not have the knowledge to even grow fruits and vegetables. But if you follow along Michelle Obama’s quick steps to growing a community garden then you can have your garden up and running in no time.

 The first step is to get your community talking about the problems on childhood obesity and the high prices on healthy foods. Bring together everyone who has a role –parents, city offices, faith-based and community-based organizations, schools, parks and recreation departments, businesses, childcare facilities and hospitals. (letsmove.gov) Discuss how a community garden could serve the needs of the community. The second step is to provide the resources. You’re probably wondering how the community would afford to grow the products. There are many originations that can help with this. USDA’s People’s Garden website has how-to videos and databases filled with garden-based learning curricula, free seed and funding sources, and healthy gardening practices. (letsmove.gov) The third step is to find a place to plant your garden.  It is very important to find land that gets at least 6 full hours of sunlight daily. It is also important to know who owns that land and to make sure it is ok with them to make a community garden. Many people who have made community gardens suggest that you should try to get a lease or agreement with the owner which would allow the space to be used for at least 3 years. And finally the last step is to get growing! Michelle Obama states that once the project is up and running, let everyone know! Gain greater community support by welcoming visitors and sharing updates on how the neighborhood is benefiting from the garden’s existence. (letsmove.gov)

Many people around the world have been building and growing community gardens. Not only does it provide healthy foods but it gets the community together.  In an article by Rick Wills he interviewed Danielle Marvit, who is a therapeutic agriculture specialist, stating that "Locally grown food is fresher and leaves less of a carbon footprint. It has become more and more popular in the past 10 years.” This example supports my proposal by explaining that locally grown foods can be healthy for Americans. In Another article by Charlotte Tucker, who is an editor for The Nation's Health, states that Fifty-six percent of community gardeners met recommendations to eat fruits and vegetables five times per day, compared with 37 percent of home gardeners and 25 percent of non-gardeners. This is another great example that explains how community gardens can be a great idea and can help with eating healthier.

Farmers Market:

            Even though a community garden is a great way to save money on fruits and vegetables, going to a farmers market is another great way to save money on fruits and vegetables. Many Americans don’t have the time or resources to tend a big garden, buying freezing produce in bulk at the farmers market and preserving it home can save you a lot of money. In an article by Roberta Bailey, she states that many canned foods show a savings of 25 percent, while the best deals can save you as much as 75 percent. For frozen produce, the numbers are even better, with many of the home-preserved foods saving you 50 to 80 percent over the store-bought versions. This is a great way to save on your fruits and vegetables; you can have healthy foods all year round.

           

Works Cited

BAILEY, ROBERTA R. "Save Money On Groceries." Mother Earth News 241 (2010): 40-43. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Brockhouse, Bill. "Ripe Time Delivery Carolina Growers Form Co-Op To Supply Farm-To-School Market." Rural Cooperatives 76.4 (2009): 14-16. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Campos, Paul. "Our Absurd Fear of Fat." The New York Times. The New York Times, 03 Jan. 2013. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

"Can You Afford to Eat Right?" Heath & Nutrition Letter. N.p., May 2008. Web. 28 Mar. 2013.

Esteves, Tammy. "Food for thought: is a French fry a vegetable? The cost of healthy foods and the lack of physical activity among children and teenagers are fueling the obesity epidemic." The Public Manager Summer 2011: 71+. Academic OneFile. Web. 29 Mar. 2013.

"Food Co-ops." Stronger Together. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Garden program helps to encourage interest in locally grown produce." Pittsburgh Tribune-Review [Pittsburgh, PA] 3 Mar. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Jamie Zoellner, et al. "Does Availability Of Physical Activity And Food Outlets Differ By Race And Income? Findings From An Enumeration Study In A Health Disparate Region." International Journal Of Behavioral Nutrition & Physical Activity 9.1 (2012): 105-114. Academic Search Complete. Web. 29 Mar. 2013.

Obama, Michelle. "Healthy Communities." Let's Move! N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013.

Tucker, Charlotte. "Study: Community Gardeners Eat Better." Health & Wellness. Gale Learning, Sept. 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2013