American Heart Association leads nutrition security plan in Miami-Dade to improve food landscape
Leaders in Miami-Dade are making progress on a community-driven, health equity action plan to address nutrition insecurity in a way that is both comprehensive and sustainable. The latest research from the American Heart Association found that nutrition insecurity disparities have been widespread in Miami-Dade for the past four years.
The main purpose of the initiative is, Food insecurity and malnutrition in Miami Dade County. Specific goals include:
- increasing access to healthy and nutritious foods,
- Improving the quality of existing food and
- encouraging healthy eating habits.
The plan also aims 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, vice president of community impact for the American Heart Association. “More than 6,000 school buses in South Florida could be filled with all food-insecure residents. This is unacceptable, and this community of professionals is committed to making sure every member of our community has an equal opportunity 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 hundreds of organizations, along with core leadership from the American Heart Association, Urban Health Partnerships, and Common Threads, came together for an expert panel at Amara at Paraiso in mid-March to discuss the need, identify challenges, and create a plan for action.
“My administration was proud to join partners from both the public and private sectors working 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 are able to bring more nutritious options to every dinner table and work to ensure that no one in our community goes to bed hungry.”
Malnutrition and food insecurity contribute to disparities in chronic disease outcomes. Food insecurity is higher than average in households with children, in households headed by a single person or non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic people, and in households with incomes below the poverty line.
Nutrition security is a pressing issue in Miami Dade County, and a significant portion of our community struggles to access adequate, nutritious food. This organizing group is collaborative, evidence-based, and prioritizes the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Brenden Reyes, a lifelong Miami-Dade resident, spoke at the event. Brenden is one of the American Heart Association’s Hispanic-Serving Institution Scholars. HSI Scholars is an initiative to develop a diverse pool of researchers and healthcare professionals by providing academic and career-enriching resources to scholars, including scholarships and mentorships.
Brenden is currently an undergraduate student at Florida International University, majoring in agricultural sciences and aiming to pursue a career in environmental sciences.
“The passion, drive and love for changing the narrative of food insecurity and nutrition in Miami-Dade County was palpable,” Reyes said. “Nutrition is not just food, it is a way of life, and we have lost our way. Exciting times lie ahead for Miami, where longevity, peace and a strong sense of community are at its best.”
With the creation of our subcommittee structure and its evolution into a steering committee, the goal of the collaboration is to establish a permanent leadership structure and support network so that Miami-Dade County residents can live longer, healthier lives. The foundation of all of this work is Access, Education, Advocacy and Getting engaged.
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