SSMMA aims to help improve food-access to build healthy communities

From left: Deputy Executive Director of Housing and Community Development Lakeshia Wright and Community Development Planner Kimberly Morris at the Improving Food Access workshop.

SSMMA hosted an “Improving Food Access to Build Healthy Communities” workshop Sept. 22 to bring together food access advocates and local municipal officials for discussion on solutions to improve food access in under-served areas.

We gratefully acknowledge the workshop presenters:

1. Daniel Block, Director of the Neighborhood Assistance Center at Chicago State University for his presentation, “Food Access Corner Stores, Race, Poverty, and Food Systems Policy in Suburban Cook County.”

2. Nicole Edmonds, Healthy Corner Stores Coordinator of the Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children for her presentation, “Improving Food Access to Build Healthy Communities.”

3. Bob Dolgan, Director of Statewide Partnerships and Susy Lee of No Kid Hungry Program Manager of the Greater Chicago Food Depository for their presentation “Assets and Opportunities in the South Suburbs.”

Participants also discussed current efforts that are taking place in Cook County such as the Healthy HotSpot Initiative that aims to address low food access the County by increasing the number of corner stores with expanded healthy food and beverage options. The meeting highlighted the connection between food access and healthy living, and provided local officials with practical ways to promote overall health and wellness in their communities.

Please contact Kimberly Morris for additional information at 708-922-4672 or kimberly.morris@ssmma.org.

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