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American Heart Association leads a nutrition security plan for Miami-Dade to improve the food landscape
Leaders across Miami-Dade advance a community-driven health equity action plan to comprehensively and sustainably address nutrition insecurity. Recent research by the American Heart Association found that food security imbalances in Miami-Dade have been all too common for the past four years.
The main goal of the initiative is to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition in Miami Dade County. Specific objectives include:
- increase access to healthy and nutritious food,
- improve the quality of the food available, and
- promote healthy eating habits.
The plan also seeks to support local food systems, reduce food waste, and improve food distribution networks.
“The American Heart Association works to improve access to nutritious food and create sustainable impact,” said Robert Hill, American Heart Association vice president of community impact. “In South Florida, more than 6,000 school buses can be filled with all the food insecure residents. This is unacceptable, and this community of professionals is committed to ensuring that all members of our community have equal opportunities for a healthy life.”
Nutrition security is a critical aspect of public health, and addressing it effectively requires collaborative efforts. Led by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava and her office, many individuals, representing over a hundred organizations, with central leadership from the American Heart Association, Urban Health Partnerships & Common Threads, gathered for an expert panel at the Amara at Paraiso. in mid-March to discuss the need, identify challenges and build on a plan to act.
“My administration has been proud to join both public and private sector partners as they work to end hunger and food insecurity in our county,” said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Thanks to the Miami-Dade Food & Nutrition for All Collaborative, we can bring more nutritious options to every dinner table and work to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.”
Poor diet and food insecurity contribute to disparities in chronic disease outcomes. Food insecurity is higher than average in households with children, those headed by a single person or Black or Hispanic people, and those with incomes below the poverty level.
Food security is a pressing issue in Miami Dade County, with a significant portion of our community struggling to access adequate and nutritious food. This group of organizations is collaborative, evidence-based, and prioritizes the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Brenden Reyes, a lifelong resident of Miami-Dade, spoke at the event. Brenden is one of the American Heart Association’s Hispanic-Serving Institute Scholars. HSI Scholars is an initiative to develop a pipeline of diverse researchers and healthcare professionals, by providing scholars with academic and career-enriching resources, including scholarships and mentorship.
Brenden is currently an undergraduate student at Florida International University, pursuing a career in environmental science with a concentration in agricultural sciences.
“The passion, drive and love to address food insecurity and change nutrition values in Miami-Dade County was evident,” said Reyes. “Nutrition is not just nutrition, but a way of life and we have lost our way. Exciting times lie ahead as Miami spreads longevity, peace and a strong sense of community.”
By creating our subcommittee structure, which rolls up to a steering committee, the goal of the collaboration is to establish a permanent leadership structure and support network, so Miami-Dade County residents can live longer and healthier lives. As a basis for all this work there will be a focus on Access, Education, Advocacy and Participation.
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