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We wanted to start off this newsletter with two interesting articles that discuss the complex set of issues we face when addressing issues of food access, physical activity and health.
First, an article in Fast Company that describes the connection between the way the environment and transportation patterns are built to public health problems like asthma, diabetes and obesity and why we should care about this connection.
Second, an article by Larry Cohen of the Prevention Institute discusses the transformative moment in America where "government is putting policies into place that call for responsibility and establish accountability. These policies call for something radical-putting people before profit."
Just some food for thought as we start this issue... |
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Update on Child Nutrition Reauthorization | On June 10 Chairman George Miller (D-CA) of the Education and Labor Committee introduced his
draft child nutrition bill, H.R. 5504: Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act in a press conference. The House version of the bill, titled Improving Nutrition for Americas Children Act, proposes $8 billion over ten years (or $800 million a year) almost double the Senate version and much closer to the Presidents proposal. Major provisions are similar to those in the Senate version. An overview of the bill is available here.
On July 1st, Chairman Miller held a hearing on the committee's draft bill. Witnesses inlcuded Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, celebrity chef Tom Colicchio, Major General Paul D. Monroe of Mission Readiness, Dr. Eduardo J. Sanchez of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, Jim Weill of the Food Research and Action Center, and Robert Rector of The Heritage Foundation. All, with the exception of Rector, focused on the importance of getting a Child Nutrition bill done this year funded at the full $10 billion, as recommended by the President. Full testimonies and an archived webcast can be found on the Education and Labor Committee's website.
What you can do now: Please call your Representatives and Senators and ask them to bring Child Nutrition Reauthorization to the floor! Find their contact information here. |
| NYS Senator Klein Fights to Save Community Gardens |
NYS Senate Passes a bill that would provide continued support for local community gardens. Sponsored by Deputy Majority Leader State Senator Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), the bill (S.6343/NYS Assembly same-as A.6442-A/Cook) helps support the efforts of many New Yorkers to use these gardens to grow low-cost, fresh fruits and vegetables, and build stronger community and neighborhood bonds. Specifically, Kleins bill requires municipalities that sell, transfer, or lease land from a community garden for a different purpose to use a small portion (10%) of the sale price to purchase or create a new garden, sustain another existing garden, or support local groups that maintain these gardens.
Get on the GreenThumb Bus!
With the support of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi, the American Community Gardening Association, and the GreenThumb Community Fund, Inc., GreenThumb is providing discounted travel, conference registration and lodging for registered GreenThumb community gardeners to attend the American Community Gardening Association's annual conference in Atlanta August 5-8. For $200, you receive conference registration including most meals, a shared hotel room, and round trip bus transportation from Manhattan to Atlanta. For more information, click here. For conference information, click here.
Red Jacket Orchards and Healthy Bodegas
Red Jacket Orchards is working to increase healthy local food access in Brooklyn with throuh the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Healthy Bodegas Project. They are trying to improve the distribution and infrastructure to support healthy local foods, starting with apples. Read more here.
Agreement Saves a Garden at Brooklyn College
Brooklyn College and urban gardeners settled a dispute over a 6,000+ square foot garden on college grounds which has been tended by local gardeners since 1997. The college wanted to pave over part of the garden to build parking and accommodate an expansion of nearby athletic fields, reduing it to 2,500 square feet. But they reached an agreement with gardeners to save 2/3 of the garden with half of the plots going to neighborhood residents. The College will also create a garden advisory committee. Read the story here.
Farm Bill Hearings Start in the Senate
On June 30, 2010, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) led the Committee's first hearing on the 2012 Farm Bill. The hearing, titled "Expanding Our Food and Fiber Supply through a Strong U.S. Farm Policy," focused on maintaining a sound U.S. farm policy to ensure a safe, reliable and affordable food supply. The witness list included Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, National Farmers Union (NFU) president Roger Johnson, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president Bob Stallman, and four farmers representing a variety of states. Sen. Lincoln plans to hold multiple hearings over the next couple of months. In the House, Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) held a series of hearings in the Capitol as well as field hearings, hoping to have the bill on the House floor before the end of the calendar year. |
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Calling all North and Central Brooklyn Cyclists! | |
The Brooklyn District Public Health Office is calling together local cyclists and community leaders to form a North and Central Brooklyn Bicycle Task Force to advise on issues of importance to the biking community. At the next meeting, the group will begin discussing the goals and objectives of the group.
Date and Time: Tuesday, July 27th at 6:00 PM
Location: Bedford Health Center, 485 Throop Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Also, look out for the DPHO's forthcoming neighborhood report Bicycling in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The report is based on the observational and survey research conducted during the summer of 2009. The observational study placed video cameras on four different Bedford-Stuyvesant blocks to learn more about cyclist and motorist behaviors.
Emergency Funding for Transit Systems!
As we mentioned in our June newsletter, the Public Transportation Preservation Act of 2010, introduced by Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT), would provide $2 billion in emergency funding for public transportation agencies in the midst of a public transit funding crisis. The bill now has 12 cosponsors including Senators Gillibrand and Schumer. The companion bill, introdcued by Rep. Michael McMahon's (D-NY), H.R. 5418, is also in the initial stages of gaining cosponsorship and support.
Albany Acts on Bus Cameras!
Also mentioned in last month's newsletter, legislation authorizing bus lane cameras, A10201, has been languishing in the NYS Assembly Transportation Committee for years. But, on June 15th, the New York State Assembly's Transportation Committee voted in favor of a bill that would allow the City to install the devices along 50 miles of designated bus lanes in the five boroughs. This is a big win considering that Transportation Committee chair David Gantt (D-Rochester) has opposed cameras for years! It's a testament to all the transportation advocates out there! Now it's in the hands of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
What you can do now:
Call Speaker Silver's office and ask him to support A10201. You can his office's contact information here.
Complete Streets Legislation
While you are on the phone with Speaker Silver's office, tell him that the New York State Assembly should vote on and pass the Complete Streets Bill ( A8587B) before they recess. The bill has already passed in the NYS Senate. If passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor it will make all the states Main Streets, Town Centers and Downtowns more easily accessed, safer and more appealing places for all users of the streets. This will allow for more walkable and bikeable communities across the state and more opportunities for physical activity!
Are You a Savvy Cyclist?Take this free, one day course to learn bike safety and how to be a smarter cyclist. Savvy Cyclist: Traffic Skills 101 is a free, one-day "introduction to cycling" program for adults and mature teens who want to improve their cycling skills. This class is ideal for new cyclists who want to learn the basics, those returning to cycling from a long hiatus, people who want to be more independent on their bike, and those who feel a little nervous while cycling in traffic. Sign up here. |
| Youth Advocates Tackle...Block Parties? | |
There are over 3,000 block parties hosted in NYC, primarily in the summer, where the streets are closed all day. But, there's a sense that the closed streets aren't being used to their fullest potential. Could our block parties be better utilized to promote good food and physical activity? Over the summer, youth advocates working with the NYC Food & Fitness Partnership will take a closer look at block parties in their communities. Stay tuned to hear what they find out!
Highway to Health Festival and Youth Forum Recap
On June 12, more than 600 people gathered for the High to Health Festival and Youth Forum at PS 64 in the Bronx! Peopl of all ages gathered to take part in youth-led workshops, film screenings, Capoeira and Zumba demonstrations, cooking demos and much more! We were treated to a great performance by Caron Wheeler from Soul II Soul. The event was presented by Baum Forum and HealthCorps and in partnership with Children's Hospital at Montefiore, FamilyCook Productions, NYC Strategic Alliance for Health, Children's Aid Society, and the NYC Food and Fitness Partnership. Visit the website for more information and pictures.
Youth Advocates who have been working with the NYC Food & Fitness Partnership led a workshop titles My school, my community, my food - youth adovcated creating change which highlighted their efforts to create change in their schools and communities around the issues they care about. Presenters included students from the Children's Aid Society at MS 293 and from WATCH High School in East New York and members of the Youth Advisory Board of the Bronx District Public Health Office. They are pictures at the beginning of the newsletter! |
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New York Community Trust Accepting Applications for 2010 Neighborhood Revitalization Program | |
Deadline: July 15
The New York Community Trust's 2010 Neighborhood Revitalization Program is focused on community efforts to help residents in New York City's low-income communities cope with economic hardship. Eligible activities include but are not limited to job training and employment counseling, eviction prevention, financial services, and benefits assistance.
The program's 2010 Request for Proposals is explicitly and exclusively for organizations that are community and located in and serving communities within the five boroughs of New York City.
Applicant organizations must have completed at least one year of work in community-based housing or economic development work; show evidence of the successful completion of a project that improved conditions in their neighborhood; demonstrate a strong neighborhood base, including community resident participation on their board of directors; and demonstrate the ability to work with other organizations and constituencies in their community such as community boards or other nonprofit organizations. Click here for more information.
Calling Video Bloggers!
The deadline for sending your video is Friday, July 16, 2010
Award-winning filmmaker Byron Hurt is working on his next documentary film, Soul Food Junkies. He is looking for people who have interesting stories and viewpoints about soul food in New York City, good or bad!
Active Living Research Rapid-Response Call for Proposals
Deadline for letters of intent: July 1, 2011
This call for proposals will support opportunistic, time-sensitive stuides on emerging or anticipated changes in physical activity-related policies or environments. Rapid-response grants are expected to accerlerate progress toward policy and environmental strategies to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. For more information, click here.Healthy Eating for a Healthy Start RFP
Deadline: July 27, 2010
"Healthy Eating for a Healthy Start" is a new demonstration project of United Way of New York City in partnership with the Administration for Childrens Services. UWNYC aims to identify best practices to impact nutrition policies in Head Start Centers that will help to prevent the incidence of obesity in young children. The RFP seeks providers to help develop and implement program components that will provide nutrition and wellness related professional development and technical assistance to Head Start staff as well as engagement activities for parents and caregivers. Implementation will be focused on Head Start Centers in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Read the Press Release here. Click here for the RFP. Become a We Are All Brooklyn (WAAB) Fellow!
Deadline: July 30, 2010
The We Are All Brooklyn Fellowship invites young professionals, between the ages of 25-40 years old, working or volunteering for a community, faith-based, government, or nonprofit organization serving Brooklyn, to join this exciting Brooklyn-based Fellowship! It is a year-long leadership development program dedicated to advancing the next generation of Brooklyn's young diverse leaders and empowering them to become change agents to strengthen Brooklyn. Fellows participate in monthly professional seminars, personal developent trainings, and networking opportuniites with key decision makers in our city. Click here for the application.
Ashoka's Changemakers and Community Matters Announce Strong Communities: Engaging Citizens, Strengthening Place, Inspiring Change Competition Deadline: August 11, 2010 Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to individuals and organizations for their innovative projects and ideas to engage citizens in building strong communities across the United States and Canada. Healthy Eating Research 2010 Rapid-Response Childhood Obesity Funding Opportunity Open
Concept Paper Deadline: September 1, 2010 (3 p.m. ET)
Rapid-Response grants support time-sensitive and opportunistic studies on emerging or anticipated changes in food-related policies or environments that can only be conducted during a short window of opportunity and are needed to inform policy debates for local, state or national action. Clilck here for more information. www.healthyeatingresearch.org
Ashoka and Staples Launch Fourth Annual Global Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition
Deadline: September 20, 2010
Grants of up to $5,000 will be given to young people between the ages of 12 and
24 whose entrepreneurial ventures are making a positive impact on their
communities.
New Report: F, As in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future
Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have released
state, and includes how many of the states' obesity rates increased in the past
year. The report also provides a review of obesity policies and recommendations
for ways to fight America's growing obesity crisis as part of health reform.
Malcolm X Blvd. Community Farmer's Market and Season Opening Celebration
July 10, 2010
Malcolm X Blvd. between Chaucey and Marion Streets, in front of Jackie Robinson Park
After you pick up your market products, head over to the Bed-Stuy Farm at 404 Decatur Street for its season opening celebration from 4-7pm. $5.00 minimum donation request.
Hattie Carthan Community Farmers Market Season Opening
July 10, 9am - 3pm,
Clifton Place at Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216
The Hattie Carthan Community Farmers Market is re-opening for its 2nd season of healthy food, activities, education and community advocacy. 2010 brings several new programs and initiatives at the Market. Through a pilot DOHMH Playstreets initiative, the Market is pushing out into the streets with safe, healthy fitness programming including African dance, African drumming, childrens fitness activities, crafts, and cooking demonstrations. The Market will also introduce Healthy Gains through our Baking with Whole Grains baking demonstration program with our newly constructed clay oven, livestock education and eggs from the Hattie Carthan Community Garden Chickens, and two new alternative food distribution programs : Fresh Food on Wheels program for
seniors living within a one mile radius of our market and the Mixed Basket Program.
Ride Your Bike, Visit City Chilckens!
July 10, 10am to 12pm
Tour begins on Sterling Street between Bedford and Rogers Avenues.
Join Just Food for the 2nd City Chicken bike tour in NYC and the first in Brooklyn!You will learn about raising chickens, building coops, and see how well chickens fit into community gardens, backyard gardens and a rooftop farm - providing eggs and manure, eating pests, weeds and kitchen scraps, tilling the soil, and inspiring curiosity in all who visit. This tour is offered in partnership with Transportation Alternatives and led by Owen Taylor (Just Food) and Eric Thomann (Backyard Garden, Just Food Trainer, New School, NYCHA).
Open House Event - Healthy You, Healthy Brooklyn
July 14, 2:30 -6:30pm
Brooklyn District Public Health Office at 485 Throop Ave in Brooklyn
The Brooklyn District Public Health Office is hosting an open house this coming Wednesday. They will be offering interactive mini-workshops and informational materials based on Take Care New York, NYC's Health Policy.
The Food Project Summer Institute
August 4-6, Boston, MA
The time is ripe for young people and their adult allies to step up and change the food reality in this country. Come learn how to build partnerships with youth that help them tap into their potential as change agents. Lots of adults know they want to farm with youth, but how to do this well requires a lot of skill and technique. Come learn from The Food Project's 19 years of practice. This three-day workshop promises to be interactive,intimate, and experiential. The techniques taught apply to doing any effective youth work or teaching. For more information on TFP's Institute, go to their website or email them!
NYC Century Bike Tour
September 12, 2010
Country's only all-urban century, and it's the most fun way to support better biking. Every dollar raised by the Century supports our advocacy for more sustainable streets. The New York City Century has a route to fit every type of rider. Register here. |
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Make News!
If you or your organization would like to be a part of the next upcoming newsletter, please send your stories, pictures or events to newsletter@nycfoodandfitness.org | |
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