Healthy food is hard to find in D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods

Food Desert


Healthy food is hard to find in D.C.’s poorest neighborhoods.



The big sign outside of McDonald’s advertises Big Mac’s for $2. Want a meal with fries and a large drink? Then it’s just a mere $4. A couple of doors down from McDonald’s is a liquor store, a 24-hour convenience store and Yum’s Carryout. Across the street is a Domino’s Pizza, another liquor store and Danny’s Sub Shop and Chinese takeout.



This one stretch of block is a snapshot of food options in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 7. Located on the northeast side of the nation’s capital, Ward 7 is littered with fast food restaurants, convenience stores and carryouts. There is one sit-down restaurant – Denny’s.



The area’s more than 70,000 residents rely on two grocery stores, both Safeways, to serve their needs. A 2008 Grocery Gap Analysis by D.C. Hunger Solutions, an initiative created by the Food Research and Action Center to improve the health and well-being of low-income residents in Washington, deemed Ward 7 a “food desert.” The report defines food deserts as areas that lack access to sufficient full-service grocery retail.

Health Benefits of Roller Skating - Wellsphere

Health Benefits of Roller Skating - Wellsphere

Fruits and Veggies Every Day the Tasty Way

Fruits and Veggies Every Day the Tasty Way

American Heart Association - Learn and Live

American Heart Association - Learn and Live: "It's more than a program. It's a movement.Heart disease is this country's No.1 killer. But by exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day you can reduce your risk. That's what the Start! Movement is all about:
Walk more. Eat better. Live a longer, healthier life.
Countless people across the country are jumping on board. Join them in the Start! Movement, get walking and start taking a more active role in your health!"

What does it take to live healthier?

I am challenging everyone to think and act on what it takes to live healthier.  I do not believe you have to do the drastic measures to begin to live healthier.  What does it take to drink one bottle of water instead of the fourth sugary beverage of the day? If you are a subscriber to Comcast Communications (cable service in DC), what does it take to turn on the "ON DEMAND" feature; search fitness and do the 1 mile Start Walking exercise video in your home? What does it take to smoke eight cigarettes in a day instead of the usual 12?  Simple things that do not create drastic life changes add up to tremendous long term benefit over time if done consistently.  What does it take to live healthier DC?

Live Healthier DC 2010

Aban Institute and Associates, Inc. (Aban ) is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt nonprofit.  Founded in Washington, DC in 1998, our mission to reclaim our children, rebuild our families, and revive our communities.

Since 2005, Aban has provided health and wellness information to the community at Anacostia Park. We want to expand the capacity of services to include year round events for all ages to engage in healthier living activities. Our Live Healthier DC is a campaign to enrich the lives of all District of Columbia residents through Aban's health, wellness, and violence prevention activities.

We have several opportunities for the community to support our efforts. From sponsoring planter boxes, to supporting a group visit to local farms, to helping a family earn a six month membership to a local gym, to sponsoring peer-to peer youth health workshops; these activities help residents realize that healthier living is accessible, attainable, and available to everyone.

Visit our website to learn more about our sponsorship categories at http://www.abaninstitute.org/.  Contact: Dr. Nura Green at 202-439-6343 or, email: abaninstitute@gmail.com to find out more about Aban and how you can support our efforts

Sponsorship

Sponsorship Description:
Help us promote our Live Healthier DC campaign. Sponsor our community outreach activities with marketing and promotional materials, products, advertisements in local media outlets. This includes promotion for our HAPPY programs at Anacostia Park.

Sponsorship Benefit:

•  Listing with your logo on our website and blog with linkage to your site
• 12 weeks of promotion through our eListserve with over 1000 addresses
• Placement of logo on official banner, promotional products, and marketing materials
• Acknowledgment as sponsor in all media promotions

Sponsorship Categories:

•  Underwriter: $10,000
• Gold Sponsors: $8000
• Silver Sponsors: $6000
• Bronze Sponsors: $4000