Students from all over the city of Newark came together to explore the issue of food security in a documentary supported by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, and RWJBarnabas Health’s Social Impact and Community Investment Practice. The documentary, Food For Thought: The Path to Food Security in Newark, raises awareness about how important it is for a city’s residents to have access to fresh, nutritious food.
Here is what we learned:
According to Darrell K. Terry Sr., President and CEO of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, food security is contingent upon three things:
- Understanding what healthy food is
- Being able to afford it
- Having convenient access to it
What happens if you don’t have food security?
Without convenient access to fresh, nutritious food you may suffer from:
A. Health problems like obesity and diabetes
B. An inability to concentrate on work and schoolwork
What is being done about it in Newark?
- Urban agriculture is becoming more popular with groups and individuals growing organic produce in vacant lots throughout the city.
- Several churches and nonprofit organizations operate soup kitchens and food pantries.
- Supermarket chains, such as Whole Foods, Food Depot and ShopRite, have moved into the city, giving residents much-needed variety and access to healthier food choices.Food For Thought: The Path to Food Security in Newark
