I asked the Health and Nutrition staff who attended last week's Food Access Summit in Duluth to share one quote or idea that stuck with them. This is what they said.
I really enjoyed Natasha Bowens' presentation and thought her reflection of not seeing enough people of color in the farming sector or at farmers markets was a good push to focus more on that topic. I want to work towards making farming and farmers markets a welcoming environment for all people and encourage others to do the same.
Food OWNERSHIP as opposed to Food ACCESS.
One takeaway is about authentic engagement with people and communities. We need to find ways beyond our typical meetings, events, webinars, etc. to include the people and communities that are most affected by the inequities in our food system. We need to find ways that work for them to be part of the planning and delivery of our health and nutrition programs. How can we go to them and listen to what they want? What strengths, opportunities, and assets do they possess?
Editor's note: Conference organizers screened the tpt documentary "Food Justice," a 26-minute look into the lives of people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Watch it online: Food Justice
One thing that I liked was hearing a government official, Under Secretary of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Kevin Concannon, state his reasoning behind keeping SNAP benefits unrestricted as far as buying non-healthy foods. Why impose that restriction on poor people when we (the more privileged) don't restrict ourselves? We want dessert, so why would tell "them" they can't?
I agree with Darlene about Kevin Concannon's response on not allowing penalty on our poor for purchasing unhealthy food. I also appreciated when a local farmer stood and asked if there would be future support for local farmers to get healthy food into our communities. The crowds response (cheers) was a great sign that there is a good number of people who are on the same page and can possibly make that dream to happen.
I really enjoyed Natasha Bowens' presentation and thought her reflection of not seeing enough people of color in the farming sector or at farmers markets was a good push to focus more on that topic. I want to work towards making farming and farmers markets a welcoming environment for all people and encourage others to do the same.
Theresa Donnelly
SNAP-Ed Educator
SNAP-Ed Educator
— Leticia (@betoyletty61) November 10, 2015
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Food OWNERSHIP as opposed to Food ACCESS.
Amanda Corbett
Research Associate
Research Associate
— Hannah Jastram (@jastrd) November 10, 2015
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Ryan Johnson
Associate Program Director
Editor's note: Conference organizers screened the tpt documentary "Food Justice," a 26-minute look into the lives of people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Watch it online: Food Justice
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One thing that I liked was hearing a government official, Under Secretary of Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Kevin Concannon, state his reasoning behind keeping SNAP benefits unrestricted as far as buying non-healthy foods. Why impose that restriction on poor people when we (the more privileged) don't restrict ourselves? We want dessert, so why would tell "them" they can't?
Darlene Collins
SNAP-Ed Regional Coordinator
@AlexLarsonRD That's why choice is so important! #Empower healthy food options for all people! #mnfoodaccess
— Andrew Doherty (@adoherty625) November 9, 2015
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I agree with Darlene about Kevin Concannon's response on not allowing penalty on our poor for purchasing unhealthy food. I also appreciated when a local farmer stood and asked if there would be future support for local farmers to get healthy food into our communities. The crowds response (cheers) was a great sign that there is a good number of people who are on the same page and can possibly make that dream to happen.
Debra Hawthorne
SNAP-Ed Educator
SNAP-Ed Educator
"We eat too many processed foods! That's the American food system." @USDANutrition Undersec.Concannon #mnfoodaccess pic.twitter.com/UzSCt2A1gV
— MPS True Food (@MPS_TrueFood) November 10, 2015