The Gift of Food & Community Investment
As we gather with family and friends this holiday season, we are encouraged toward gratitude and generosity by thinking of those in need – and some of those experiencing the greatest need this holiday season are a people crucial to the first Thanksgiving: Native Americans.
It is tragic to think of Native Americans or anyone going hungry on days often associated with feasting.
For Native Americans living on reservations throughout the Northern Plains and Southwest, persistent poverty has contributed to food insecurity and nutrition-related health issues. Rather than feasting, there is a lack of access to mainstream supermarkets that stock and sell fresh and nutritious foods, leaving many Native Americans living on convenience foods sold at local gas stations and convenience stores.
Growing up in food-insecure households, young Native Americans often develop poor dietary habits and lack information regarding healthy nutrition and food choices. This lays the groundwork for today’s youth to have health-related diseases in the future. As a result of food insecurity in Indian Country, Native Americans:
- Have the highest rates of type 2 diabetes in the United States
- Are twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to die from diabetes
- Are 1.5 times as likely as white adults to have high blood pressure
- Have the highest rates of obesity among children in the United States
- Are 400 percent more likely to report not having enough to eat than other U.S. households
The future of healthy tribal nations starts with healthy youth today. Sharing a critical focus on empowerment and nutrition, Newman’s Own Foundation and Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) are meeting youth in tribal communities to address food insecurity through our Community Investment Projects for sustainable change.
PWNA is excited to be assisting garden projects led by Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) students at schools on both the Rosebud and Navajo Reservations. More youth-led projects addressing food insecurity and hunger in reservation communities are in the works. Check back soon for more on these, and our progress with nutrition-related community projects supported by Newman’s Own Foundation.
In the meantime, remember that today is the last day to support PWNA through the Newman’s Own Foundation Challenge. Visit our Crowdrise page and help us address food insecurity in impoverished tribal communities and food deserts.