Food Insecurity and Obesity in Dutchess County
The Community Cares
Obesity is now considered an epidemic in America, affecting nearly 100 million Americans and impacting many more. The prevalence of this disease has skyrocketed since the 80s, and various factors are believed to be the cause. While a prescription of regular exercise and a balanced diet may seem to be promising preventative practices, there are distinguishing factors that have a powerful effect on obesity, such as socioeconomic status, education levels and access to healthier foods.
Dutchess County is no exception from the nearly 40 percent of Americans suffering from obesity, in fact nearly a quarter of Dutchess County residents qualify as obese — this number has tripled since the 90s. CDC’s latest study on obesity in America, in addition to a plethora of scholarly articles, illustrates the correlation between obesity and food insecurity, which is common among citizens living below the poverty level.
The recommended daily diet consists of grains, fruits and vegetables, however it can be difficult to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables for sustained energy and longterm health when there are income concerns. There are various organizations in the Dutchess County community that pride themselves on supporting those who need help accessing proper nourishment.
Dutchess Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to hunger relief services and support, prides themselves on providing fresh foods to combat food insecurity in Dutchess County. Of their many programs to alleviate food insecure citizens of Poughkeepsie, the Mobile Market and Farm Stand are two unique programs aimed at providing fresh produce to the community.
Sarah Salem, Director of Development for Dutchess Outreach, states the purpose of these programs are “to increase access to fruits and vegetables, so as another point of access to healthier food.”
“What we’re doing is food access, yes, but now we’re making a distinction between what kind of food people have access to, knowing that in lower income communities, like the City of Poughkeepsie, there are higher instances of diet-related obesities.”
The Farm Stand, a once monthly event, is made possible through excess created in the Supermarket industry, which is donated to local food banks, from which regional food banks supply to Dutchess Outreach for community distribution.
In addition to “emergency feeding programs such as a food pantry and a hot meal program,” Dutchess Outreach offers a “mobile farmers market, where [they] are selling fresh, locally grown produce.”
The Mobile Market is distinct from the Farm Stand in that the produce are fresh, organic and locally harvested. In addition, “it’s on wheels, so it’s distinct from any of the locations.”
It’s very different from the Farm Stand, as it “only stocks its shelves with local produce,” “at a very low cost, and we accept public benefit assistance dollars.”
The program has been a success thus far, seeing “an average of about 250 people between that period of three hours,” Salem says, “The community is responding pretty well.”
“We’re proud of being able to offer that to our community.”
Another nonprofit in the community dedicated to the children and members of the community is Needle In The Haystack, a thrift store acting as the income stream for local outreach program, Youth Mission Outreach. However, Needle in The Haystack is much more than a thrift store.
Manager of Needle In The Haystack Thrift, La’Ema Ollennu walks through the many programs offered by Youth Mission Outreach, and how the thrift store supports and furthers YMO’s efforts to alleviate disparities community.
“Under Youth Mission Outreach, we provide youth programs that support our kids in the community, ages 5 and up.” These programs include Youth Night, Junior Leaders, S.T.A.R. Opportunities and many more.
The organization strives to integrate all aspects of support for individuals in the community; addressing physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.
“We also have a summer camp program called Health Crusaders,” which is “now going to be year round, where we meet two to three times a month.”
“The summer camp allows our kids to learn four different sports and learn also nutritional value in what they eat.”
The emergency food pantry is primarily used for disaster relief efforts such as natural disasters or home fires, however “if someone needs it and they’re in the store venting about their issues or challenges, we offer about two bags of goods from our food pantry,” just enough to help them through, while preserving enough for any disaster relief.
These are just two examples of organizations in the Dutchess County that provide resources to alleviate food insecurity in the community. When access to healthy options seems unobtainable, there are people here to help.
