Redefining Healthy Habits in Athens, Ga
Having talked in my last blog entry about the exciting initiatives that are helping fix the food insecurity in Athens, I want to shine the spotlight on one particularly powerful project that I have been working with for some time now. Farm to Neighborhood, which serves the downtown area, provides fresh, pre-packaged healthy and affordable mobile meals as a nutrition-based service for limited income adults, families, and seniors. EBT-approved (plus, a discounted price is offered when paying this way) and already affordable, the meals will mitigate the negative influence of the food desert on multiple public housing units in the area. Residents of these neighborhoods have come to rely on nearby fast-food restaurants, drugstores, and even gas stations for daily sustenance. Unfortunately, though these spots can be convenient, meals are often heavily processed and high in calories, fat, sodium, and preservatives. The popularity of processed food persists due to the lack of affordable healthy options, meal planning skills, reliable transportation, and the time constraints associated with fluctuating work schedules. Farm to Neighborhood is a socially responsible solution to shift the paradigm and promote nutritious eating habits, and it does so in a couple of ways. The main method is through the sale of meals that come pre-made and are available for delivery or pick-up walking distance from these neighborhoods. Also, recipe cards are included to help share meal-prep strategies and ideas with customers. The value of convenience cannot be overstated because even though it may sound like a luxury, it can actually make the difference for someone choosing between a hearty, balanced meal or some empty calories from whatever is close by.
After a soft start in the spring and a few roadblocks (including COVID-19), Farm To Neighborhood has had many weeks of successful pre-packaged meals and has even introduced the Delish Bag, which also has a fantastically low price tag and includes a healthy mix of produce from local Athens farms. A week in June, for example, offered a pre-packaged meal of smoked chicken, mango cilantro brown rice, and sugar beet roots salad. The Delish Bag held kale, sugar beets, squash, tomatoes, peaches, strawberries, sweet potatoes, corn, and a recipe card. The Delish Bag is so special because it helps both the farmers of Athens and the residents who could use better access to fresh, affordable ingredients like these. Cozy Bear Farms and Young Female Farmers are just two examples of local spots that have been massively helpful in providing fresh food to include in these bags.
Though we are well on the way to a healthier future, the job is far from done. The education aspect has been kicked off by sharing recipe ideas and cooking tips via handouts and social media, but Farm to Neighborhood hopes to build a truly sustainable culture of healthy habits in Athens that could last for generations. This will come with time and consistency as well as the support of the surrounding community. The long-term goal for Farm to Neighborhood is to build strong, stable, neighborhoods that communicate and trust both each other and the city itself. Positive relationships and inclusive local policies will pave the way for a city with less chronic illness and obesity, more unique dining options at all price points, and a more holistic tomorrow.
