The Challenge of Food Deserts
Imagine living in a neighborhood where the nearest grocery store with fresh fruits and vegetables is miles away, but fast food is on every corner. For millions of Americans living in so-called “food deserts,” this is an everyday reality.
One parent living in such a community described it perfectly when asked why it is so hard to get healthy foods in their neighborhood. “‘Cause it’s a luxury. Being healthy is a luxury now,” the resident explained.
Building a Healthier Environment
No Kid Hungry, in partnership with two affordable housing providers – the NHP Foundation and Mercy Housing – launched the Nutrition in Housing (NIH) pilot program to improve access to nutritious food in communities with limited resources and access to healthy options.
In its first year, the program focused on four affordable housing sites across three states: Cleme Manor Apartments in Houston, Texas; Esperanza Crossing Apartments in Esparto, California; Gleason Park Apartments in Stockton, California; and Savannah Gardens Apartments in Savannah, Georgia.
Families in these communities work hard to feed their kids. One resident shared that despite the challenges in access, “We make it work... Every night, there’s dinner—a hot plate—and they’re not going without.”
In each of these four sites, resident coordinators and a group of volunteers referred to as “wellness champions” implemented programs to support nutrition access in their housing communities, so it’s easier for each family to “make it work”. The strategies included bilingual nutrition classes for kids and adults and food distributions among other initiatives.
To address transportation issues also linked to food insecurity, the Mercy Housing sites in California implemented the Instacart Health Fresh Funds initiative which provided residents with a $40 monthly stipend for a year to shop for eligible items via Instacart. Residents also received a free Instacart+ account that provided free delivery and reduced fees. The first year, residents purchased $46,275 worth of groceries using this benefit.
“With the Instacart [program], that’s a blessing because I run out of food stamps mid-month. I totally run out and my kids need to eat… My kids love to get the watermelon to eat with the tajin,” said a resident who used the benefit.
No Kid Hungry thanks Instacart, which generously supported our collaboration with our California sites with this philanthropic investment.
Connecting Families to Essential Benefit Programs
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) enrollment was another vital aspect of the program. Nearly 70% of residents at these housing communities qualify for SNAP, but barriers like complex paperwork and fears of risking immigration status prevent many from applying. Wellness champions hosted office hours to support people with SNAP enrollment and also ran informative campaigns, teaching families about how to maximize their SNAP benefits by taking advantage of programs that double their benefits when they use them in farmers markets.
The Nutrition in Housing pilot program demonstrated the powerful impact that focused nutrition initiatives can have in affordable housing communities. Residents reported feeling healthier, more connected and empowered to make better food choices for themselves and their families. Moving forward, sustained funding and continued partnerships are crucial to building on these successes and scaling similar programs to more communities facing food insecurity.
Ways You Can Help
Donate: 1 dollar can help provide 10 meals* for kids. Your support will help us fund meal programs all over the country and help us advocate for policies that will help kids get the meals they need. *Donations help support programs that feed kids; No Kid Hungry does not provide individual meals. Learn more at NoKidHungry.org/OneDollar
Speak up for kids: 1 in 5 kids in the United States is affected by hunger. Tell your lawmaker to protect SNAP and other federal nutrition programs that feed kids.
