Increasing Access to Healthy Foods in North Carolina BETSY VETTER - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Increasing Access to Healthy Foods in North Carolina BETSY VETTER SENIOR DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION/AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION

Advocates working to build a healthier North Carolina The Mission of the AHA: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The Mission of NCAH : The North Carolina Alliance for Health is an independent, statewide coalition advocating for policies that promote wellness and reduce the impact of obesity and tobacco.

What is a Food Desert? A food desert is defined by the US Department of Agriculture as a low-income census tract in which at least 33 percent or a minimum of 500 people live more than a mile from a supermarket or grocery store in urban areas, or 10 miles from a supermarket or grocery store in rural areas

• North Carolina has at least 349 food deserts across 80 counties, impacting over 1.5 million of North Carolina residents. Food Deserts exist in both rural and urban areas. • About one in every five North Carolinians is “food insecure” and will not have access to enough food this year. • Communities without access to healthy foods are disproportionately impacted by obesity and diet-related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.

• Healthy Corner Store Initiatives • Healthy Food Financing Initiatives

Addressing Food Deserts in North Carolina • HB 957: Food Desert Zones introduced by Representative Yvonne Holley (D-Wake) • House Study Committee on Food Desert Zone • HB 1051: Authorize DHHS/Cooperative Extension Contracts introduced by Representative Chris Whitmire (R-Henderson)

Addressing Food Deserts in North Carolina • NCAH applies for and receives a Voices for Healthy Kids Grant • Grant focus: improve access to healthy foods through healthy food retail initiatives (healthy food financing & healthy corner stores

Advocacy Step One: Education • Members of the Food Desert Study Committee • NCGA Fiscal Research Staff • The Media • Grassroots • New Partners • Lawmakers • NCAH Launched Resolution: http://www.ncallianceforhealth.org/Resolution-in- Support-of-Access-to-Healthy-Food.as

Advocacy Step Two: Action • Engage more partners • Grassroots - Advocacy Training Events: Asheville, Winston- Salem and Charlotte • Working with Representative Holley for next legislative steps • Engaging more decision makers – Secretary Decker and Commissioner Troxler

Getting Involved: • Organization can join NCAH and attend membership meetings • Sign the Resolution • Be an active advocate – (Join You’re the Cure) • Attend an upcoming training • Letters to the Editor • Meet with lawmakers

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