One of the things we’re doing this week to get healthy is walking the perimeter of the warehouse during lunch. Four laps is the equivalent to one mile. So next time you visit us for one of our Food For Thought sessions, don’t worry that all of the staff are circling the building. We’re making a commitment to health while fighting hunger.

Remember that General Mills donates $.14 for each pound you pledge to lose through the Pound for Pound challenge. If you want to make your pledge or learn more please visit http://www.pfpchallenge.com/fl

We have also set up a group on facebook to update you with recipes, success stories and exercise tips. Don’t forget to join our group.

Brady Koch

Director of Agency Relations & Programs

And like most people who set out to shed excess weight, I’ve developed some personal strategies and goals around the process. Naturally, most of these involve changes in the choices that I make about both food and exercise. As I think about the changes I’m making in these two areas, I am reminded just how fortunate I am to be in an economic position that allows me to choose and purchase foods that are healthier for me.  

So many of our neighbors in Central Florida face extremely limited food choices based simply on their ability to pay. They must stretch their resources to buy the less-expensive, less-nutritious foods that we know can contribute to obesity and a wide range of associated health problems.  

 The University of Washington’s Center for Public Health Nutrition has conducted a number of fascinating studies on social and economic disparities in health and the links between obesity and poverty. 

One of these studies (2007) examined the price, calories, and relative nutritional value of more than 400 typical grocery items. For the items at the low-end of the nutritional scale (high sugar, starch, empty calories— think “junk” food), it was found that the average cost per 1,000 calories was $1.73. At the other end of that nutritional spectrum, the highly nutritious foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, dairy products, etc. averaged more than $17.00 per 1,000 calories. 

Since a typical family of four (two adults and two children) has a total weekly calorie need of somewhere around 50,000 calories, it’s not difficult to see how low-income families must make less healthy food choices just to meet the calorie need on the money they have. Instead of spending $4 on one red bell pepper, for example, they’ll use those same dollars to purchase 6 boxes of macaroni and cheese.  

Other studies have shown that people in low-income families often exercise up to 25% less than others in our population; a result of  living in neighborhoods that feel less than safe. Think “less time outdoors.” Instead of going out for a brisk walk, bike ride,or tennis, many people are inside their apartments with the doors locked.  

Why is it important to think about these things? Well, I believe it’s important because of the pervasiveness of the negative stereotypes that exist of obese people who live in poverty in our country. We sometimes hear sentiments along the lines of “How dare these people presume to ask me or anyone else for assistance with food, when they’re obviously eating too much already?”  

I understand the counterintuitive nature of this issue, but when the facts are examined, there is simply no question that millions of Americans don’t walk on the same playing field as others do when it comes to the nutritional quality of one of life’s most basic necessities. I hope that more people will take that into consideration before they pass a quick judgment.  

At Second Harvest Food Bank, we’re working hard to make certain that more low-income families than ever before have access to the high-nutrition type foods that they must routinely walk past in the supermarket. We have a long way to go in this regard, but like a familiar grocery retailer’s familiar slogan, we are definitely “getting better all the time.”     

Wish me luck on my weight transformation—I’m going to need it:).

Greg Higgerson
VP of Development

Happy New Years!

Many of us have made a commitment to live a healthier life in 2010. For me, I’ll be involved in the Pound for Pound Challenge. For the food bank, it involves hiring a Nutrition Manager.   Next week I will begin to sort through all of the applications we’ve received for the new Nutrition Manager position we’re hiring at the food bank. This blog gives me the unique opportunity to include you in our program development process from design to implementation to evaluation.

 Before we begin any new program we complete a thorough research process that includes needs analysis, best practices studies, and pilot programs. One of the greatest benefits of our membership with Feeding America is access to the nationwide network of food banks throughout America. Combining ideas from the network and listening to the needs of our own agencies we are able to take this list of possible nutritionist tasks and whittle it down to a program with a specific strategic plan and outcomes. Here’s what we’ve determined to be our areas of focus for our Nutrition Manager:

•  Nutrition Education for Program participants: The food bank’s Strategic plan has an entire section devoted to our commitment to address the Childhood Obesity challenges faced specifically by children in food insecure households. Research continues to prove that children in low-income households consistently have a high rate of obesity. One of the main reasons for this is that the foods that are the healthiest happen to also be the most expensive. If the closest food store to your house is the gas station or convenience store, then your dollar is going to stretch even thinner. 
• Nutrition Analysis of our program food: Every year, about 10% of our food is acquired through our Power Purchase Center in order to provide participating agencies menu consistency. Our Nutritionist would be able to analyze the food we purchase and determine possible alternatives to make sure the items we can select for purchase is nutritionally optimal.

Like any of our programs, the Nutrition program will evolve with the community’s needs. It’s especially exciting to get the person in the position and see them run with the program that we’ve been honing for months. I’ll be sure to fill you in with another progress report once we hire the best candidate!

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs

I am willing to bet that more than half of us have the same New Year’s Resolution to shed those unwanted pounds. Well … here is a way for us to do it together and help feed our Central Florida neighbors in need at the same time!

“The Biggest Loser” on NBC is sponsoring the 2nd Pound for Pound Challenge. General Mills has been gracious enough to donate 14 cents per pound pledged on the Pound for Pound Website. The Challenge Kicks off on The Biggest Loser tonight at 8 p.m.

Let’s make Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida the #1 food bank in America! Already we are first in Florida. So go ahead and think about your goal, pledge the pounds, and let your friends and family know! Remember- for us to get the credit, one must type in a Central Florida zip code. We have until May 2010 to meet our goals.

Check out this video from last season to get a closer look on how the Pound for Pound Challenge will not only change our lives, but the lives of people in need right here in our own community.

 

Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida has formed a team. We will be participating in group exercise activities and weigh ins before and after work! We will also be posting updates (photos and videos) on our progress via this blog.

Do you want to get move involved? Join our Facebook group! Share your favorite recipes, work out tips, and success stories. It is always better to have the support of friends, families, co-workers, and neighbors! Anyone can create a team of Central Florida’s Biggest Losers!

Don’t forget to send 5 friends an e-card and have them join.

Together we can change our lifestyles and help those that need it most. Let’s show America that Central Florida can be THE BIGGEST LOSERS!

Sign up for the Pound for Pound Challenge.

Good luck and most importantly… HAVE FUN!

Please let me know if you have any questions about the Pound for Pound Challenge at shausman@foodbankcentralflorida.org or 407-843-5009 x25.

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist