Across the country local stakeholders are adopting methods and strategies to improve access to healthy foods by advocating for policy change. This webinar uses The Food Trust’s recently published Healthy Food Financing Handbook: From Advocacy to Implementation to discuss how these efforts have led to the creation of healthy food financing initiatives at the city, state and federal level. This webinar offers a roadmap for how to successfully advocate for initiatives that improve access to healthy food through the development of healthy food retail. Additionally, the webinar provides an overview of how healthy food financing initiatives are administered by government agencies, community development financial institutions, and food access organizations. 

After decades of rising childhood obesity rates, several American cities are reporting their first declines.The trend has emerged in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as smaller places like Anchorage, Alaska, and Kearney, Neb. The state of Mississippi has also registered a drop, but only among white students.

New evidence is confirming that the environment kids live in has a greater impact than factors such as genetics, insufficient physical activity or other elements in efforts to control child obesity. Three new studies, published in the April 8 Pediatrics, land on the import of the ‘nurture’ side of the equation and focus on specific circumstances in children’s or teen’s lives that potentially contribute to unhealthy bulk.

Soul Food Junkies sets out to learn more about the soul food tradition and its relevance to black cultural identity. The film also explores the socioeconomic conditions in predominantly black neighborhoods, where it can be difficult to find healthy options, and introduces some pioneers in the emerging food justice movement who are challenging the food industry, encouraging communities to create sustainable and eco-friendly gardens, advocating for healthier options in local supermarkets, and supporting local farmers' markets.

After decades of rising childhood obesity rates, several American cities are reporting their first declines. The trend has emerged in big cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as smaller places like Anchorage, Alaska, and Kearney, Neb. The state of Mississippi has also registered a drop, but only among white students.

In recent years, the national childhood obesity rate has leveled off. However, some cities and states have reported modest declines in their rates, following peaks in the early 2000s.Growing evidence suggests that strong, far-reaching changes—those that make healthy foods available in schools and communities and integrate physical activity into people's daily lives—are working to reduce childhood obesity rates.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate child and parent weight status across neighborhoods in King County and San Diego County and nutrition environment characteristics. The findings found that children living in neighborhoods with healthy food and safe play spaces are 56 percent less likely to be obese than children in neighborhoods without these features.

This interactive map of New Orleans provides information about the status of health and well-being of the community including health, social and environmental domains and the drivers of that status. It also provides model practices and tools that support neighborhood associations’ and tracks changes in over time.

This report provides case studies of two cities—Detroit and Oakland—that are taking innovative steps to repair their food delivery networks. PolicyLink and Michigan State University collaborated to chronicle the efforts of residents and activists, the challenges they face, and the solutions they have developed.

Houston doesn't have nearly enough grocery stores: That's the startling, stark conclusion of The Food Trust's new report "Food for Every Child." And without those stores, our neighborhoods and our health are suffering.