Growing Food Security in Mattapan

Growing Food Security in Mattapan: The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Vivien Morris Glorie Vital Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition October 10, 2009 Food Policy Council Day Community Food Security Coalition Meeting Des Moines, Iowa

Overview
A little about Mattapan
Describing the Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition
Defining healthy food access problems in Mattapan
Strategies utilized by the MFFC
Accomplishments, challenges and lessons learned

Mattapan

Map of US with Boston and Des Moines

Mattapan: A few facts
Southernmost community of Boston
Population 44,000
18% of families and 25% of children live below the poverty level
91% of residents are people of color
Largest Haitian population north of New York
35.7% of population is under the age of 20

More Facts
No full service grocery store lies within the Mattapan boundaries
Residents report not being able to shop where they’d like because of distance and high food prices
Mattapan has the highest obesity rate of any community in the state

Mattapan Retail Food Establishments

Obesity in Boston Adults Who are Overweight or Obese by Neighborhood, 2003 and 2005* Boston 50% Allston/Brighten 38% Back Bay** 36% Charlestown 48% Dorchester 64% E. Boston 58% Fenway 32% Hyde Park 64% Jamaica Plain 37% Mattapan 70% Roslindale 60% South Boston 55% South End 44% W. Roxbury 50% ** Boston Sample Only ** Back Bay includes the North End Data Source: Behavior Risk Factor Survey:: BRFSS, Boston Public Health Commission Data Analysis: BPHC Research Office

The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition

The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition – History
January 2007 , launch of the Mattapan Food and Fitness Initiative
2007 ,first Farmers Market
2008 , first Mattapan Moving for Life Event
2008 , Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition Vigorous Youth begun
2008 , conducted community assessment and hosted community wide planning meetings (co-sponsored with the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness)
2009 , Promoting healthier menus in local restaurant
2009 , MFFC Vigorous youth interview mayoral candidates on plans and policies on food and fitness
2009 , Strategic planning process completed

The Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition – Who we are
Individual Mattapan residents
Mattapan Community Development Corporation
Mattapan Community Health Center
Mattapan Board of Trade
Mattapan Cultural Arts Council
Mattapan Family Services and ABCD
Colorado Street Neighborhood Association
Church of the Holy Spirit
Jubilee Christian Church
Mattapan Civic Association
Mildred Avenue Community Center
City Natives Nursery/BNAN, Mattapan
Nutrition and Fitness for Life Program, BMC
Brookwood Community Farm
Powisett Farm
BOND of Color
Boston STEPS, BPHC
The Harvard Prevention Research Center
Haitian American Public Health Initiative
Friends of Young Achievers School
Youth and Family Enrichment Services
And growing

Mattapan Food and Fitness Survey Results 2008
102 surveys conducted July – October 2008 by 15 youth
7 key informant interviews conducted
Two focus groups conducted with 16 total participants
Part of larger project with Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness

Where people shop, Mattapan 19% Do NOT shop at their favorite store because: Time to get there (26%) Cost (21%) Difficult to access (5%)

Factors Influencing Food Purchasing, Mattapan Mattapan residents care most about taste, price, and health.

Reasons for non-use of neighborhood fitness activities, Mattapan Safety in parks is a big concern in Mattapan

Multiple Approaches to Addressing Healthy Food Access
Community engagement in goal setting
Improving Healthy Food Access
Health Education
Leadership Development

Community Engagement in Goal Setting
Monthly community meetings
Community assessment process led by youth (in collaboration with BCFF)
Community Report Back and discussion meeting
MFFC website: www.mattapanfoodandfitness.org

Improving Healthy Food Access
Farmers Market
Build a Garden (BAG) project with The Food Project
Work with local restaurants
Political Action Committee (just begun)

Farmers Market
Youth visits to farms
Special outreach and support to elders
Health education at market
Harvest Festival
Culture (translation/personal shopping assistance)

Efforts to Address Local Concerns in the Mattapan Farmers Market
Convenience
Market located in heart of Mattapan Square
Cost
Venders price items with sensitivity to local economic hardships
WIC and Senior Farmers Market Vouchers
EBT (Food Stamps) accepted and doubled in value

Making the Farmer’s Market Mattapan-Specific
Culturally specific produce
Discussions on local vs. non-local produce
How to keep food prices low
Youth leadership

Making the Farmers Market Mattapan-Specific, cont.
Using market to build vibrancy in community, educate, and enrich other programs/institutions

Health Education
Partners provide health education at farmers market, and other venues
Trips to local farms
Brookwood
Powisett

Leadership Development
Vigorous Youth (food assessment, work with other youth, video project, etc.)
Healthy Communities training program
Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness trainings on research methods
Anti-Racism and Health Equity trainings
Videography training

MFFC Highlights and Accomplishments
Coordinate the Mattapan Farmers Market , bringing fresh, affordable and locally grown produce and health promotion activities to Mattapan 2007, 2008, and 2009; special elder outreach and transportation in 2009
200 attendees at the Mattapan Moving for Life event in 2008 and 2009 learned about local fitness resources and engaged in traditional and non-traditional physical activities
Local teens surveyed community residents to determine their visions for a healthier Mattapan
Partnership with other Mattapan organizations to show films on racial equity and health (“Place Matters”) in 2008

MFFC Highlights and Accomplishments, cont.
Successful effort to get local restaurant to cease offering and promoting unhealthy menu option
Multiple successful community meetings in 2009 to engage community members in selecting action priorities
Partnership with The Food Project to build raised bed gardens at the homes of Mattapan residents
Partnership with the Boston Collaborative for Food and Fitness to affect city wide policy change

Challenges
Limited assets (volunteer organization with no staff, no office or our own meeting space; limited ability to stipend youth)
Need to get at root causes, not just symptoms
Reaching out to entire community (all ages, organizations, etc.)

Lessons Learned
Uncover assets within and outside the community
Our youth are our most valuable asset
Build relationships through joint action
Think big but take doable steps
Commit to our goals
Be patient and believe

“ Mattapan will become known as one of the healthiest communities in Boston, with easy access to affordable and healthy food. Our streets will be clean, safe and walkable. Our residents of all ages and abilities will take regular advantage of the abundant and inviting play spaces and recreational opportunities.”

Growing Food Security in Mattapan

by Community Food Security Coalition on Oct 23, 2009

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