2010-01

To Support the Passage of H.R. 3100, the Food Desert Oasis Act of 2009 and Other Action to Address the Nation's Food Deserts

Short Title: Pass HR 3100 and address food deserts
WHEREAS Latinos and other communities of color struggle with obesity at epidemic proportions; and

WHEREAS Lack of availability of natural, whole food, including fresh fruits and vegetables is a contributor to both obesity and undernourishment – leading to health disparities including higher than average rates of cancer, diabetes, obesity and other health concerns; and

WHEREAS Children in some communities reside in “food deserts,” containing very little access to healthy, whole food within convenient distance to their homes; and

WHEREAS Lack of access to affordable, healthy food, including whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables can result in poor food choices, whereby families opt for refined, cheaper food; and

WHEREAS Food deserts need fresh, whole food options through incentives for new food retailers, farmers’ markets and other proactive strategies for making such food available; and

WHEREAS Family nutrition counseling and education is integral to the maintenance of healthy families. Community institutions must be incentivized to educate families on good food and nutrition; and

WHEREAS School lunch is a key component of many school childrens’ nutrition, especially for Title I schools serving a largely poor community, necessitating more creativity and purposeful use of vegetables and nutritious foods in school menus to add healthy foods to children’s diets.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that H.R. 3100 be passed into law and provide national support for addressing food deserts in communities across the country.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that community institutions must take up the issue of food deserts and collaborate in addressing the lack of health food through enhanced awareness of the importance of health food choices among Latinos, and enhancing fresh food access in communities through farmers’ markets and other options.

Sponsored By: Representative Mara Candelaria Reardon (IN)

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY THE NHCSL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AT THE SUMMER, 2010 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING, HELD JULY 10, 2010 IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.