Healthy Food, Healthy Families, a project of ALL IN – Alameda County

In more than 150 listening sessions, ALL IN confirmed that the greatest food security issue facing Alameda County is not simply the absence of food. The more difficult challenge is food inequity, defined as a structural imbalance in not only the quantity, but the quality of food available in low-income vs. high-income communities. In almost every neighborhood in Alameda County, families can find food — even free food — from a safety net source. Nevertheless, community residents are often unsatisfied with the “healthiness” of their available options. The greatest demand is for fresh produce.
 
"Healthy Food, Healthy Families is fundamentally about communities reclaiming their right to abundant, healthful food.  For too long, families with lower incomes have had inadequate opportunities to provide the healthiest foods for their children leading to high rates of childhood obesity and pre-diabetes. Our collaboration brings together parents, community activists, medical providers, local government, and non-profits to rethink the way we promote health and prevent chronic diet-related diseases.  Now parents can go to their health clinic for fresh, nutritious food, plus recipes, cooking advice, and support. Parents and health providers are partnering up to demand healthier options from their local food systems." – Dr. Melanie Moore, Director of ALL IN-Alameda County
 
Working together with medical partners, community organizations, and local urban farms, Healthy Food, Healthy Families seeks to transform the demand for and consumption of healthy foods, particularly by children at risk for obesity and diabetes. Their strategy includes creating food “pharmacies” within health clinics, community centers and schools, developing a network of local healthy food advocates in Alameda County, and influencing retailers to provide more healthy options in neighborhood markets. 
 
The Hellman Collaborative Change Initiative GROWTH grant enables the collaboration to increase access to affordable healthy foods in at least three low-income communities in Alameda County ensuring these communities have access to healthy corner stores, food “pharmacies,” and access to culturally relevant nutrition education and cooking instruction.

The Collaboration

Healthy Food, Healthy Families is a project of ALL IN – Alameda County that includes a robust, multi-sector collaboration with sponsorship from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Partners include:
  • Deputy Sheriff Activities’ League/Dig Deep Farms
  • Alameda County Department of Public Health, Office of Nutrition Services
  • UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, Center for Community Health and Engagement
  • Alameda County Community Food Bank
  • Alameda County Social Services Agency
  • Alameda Health System
  • Alameda County Dept. of Public Health, Healthy Retail Initiative
  • Oakland Food Policy Council
  • StopWaste
  • Alameda County Office of Education
  • Peralta Colleges
  • UC Cooperative Extension
  • Parent Voices
  • HOPE Collaborative

The Problem

  • Approximately 200,000 Alameda County residents live below the federal poverty rate, the highest percentage of people living in poverty in the Bay Area
  • Low-income families, including children, may face high levels of stress and poor mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression) due to the financial and emotional pressures of food insecurity
  • Healthy food, particularly fresh produce, is often not readily available in low-income communities in Alameda County