LA County Pushes Toward Food Equity With Summit
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health continued its push toward food equity in Los Angeles County by convening the second annual Food Day Summit, “Road to Food Justice: Learning from the Past, Navigating the Future.” This summit comes on the heels of the White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health, which brought together leaders from the policy, nonprofit, government, and other sectors to discuss the roots of inequity within the food system, and exchange ideas and lessons learned on the front lines of food justice.
“Los Angeles County is committed to addressing the disparities in our communities that have only deepened as a result of the challenges we’ve faced over the last few years,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Board Chair Holly J. Mitchell, representing the Second Supervisorial District. “We created the Los Angeles County Food Equity Roundtable in early 2020 to implement cross-sector solutions to achieve food and nutrition security with a focus on underserved communities. Together we will build a more just, equitable food system.”
According to the 2018 Los Angeles County Health Survey:
- Among households in Los Angeles County with incomes less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (incomes less than $73,000 a year for a family of four), 26.8% or 516,000 households experienced food insecurity.
- Among those living in food insecure households, 67.3% were Latino, 13.9% were White, 11.9% were African American, and 6.2% were Asian.
- The prevalence of obesity (36.9%), type 2 diabetes (17%), hypertension (30.4%), high cholesterol (30.4%) and depression (23.9%) were higher among adults living in food insecure households than those living in food secure households (29.6%, 11.8%, 24.2%, 25.6% and 8.4%, respectively).
“Food justice is the belief that everyone – regardless of race, income, gender or national origin – has the right to access fresh, healthy, affordable food,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “Unfortunately, we know those who experience food insecurity in Los Angeles County are disproportionately low income and people of color. The lack of access to affordable healthy foods reflects a set of policies, systems, and practices, many rooted in structural racism, that perpetuate significant disadvantages for some communities. Without intentional interventions and collective action for changes in our food systems and the built environment, it will be difficult to guarantee food justice.”
Public Health implements a variety of programs that address food and nutrition security with a focus on food equity, including the Market Match and Grocery Voucher programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. These programs focus on neighborhoods that have been historically redlined, areas of high concentrated disadvantage, communities where there is a low level of English proficiency, and communities with high CalFresh caseloads.
Speakers and panelists at the Food Day Summit included leaders from the policy, nonprofit and government, sectors who are working to create a healthier, more just, and sustainable food system. Discussions centered around practical applications of food justice, challenges to achieving food justice, and strategies that have been successful.
The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well-being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises nearly 4,500 employees and has an annual budget of $1.2 billion.
For updates on issues of interest to the food and beverage industries, subscribe to Gourmet News.
Red, white or crimson? Single-Serve Wine Copa Di Vino Goes to ‘Bama
Single-serve wine Copa Di Vino from Splash Beverage Group will be the exclusive wine available at the University of Alabama’s Athletics Department events, which includes NCAA football games in Bryant Denny Stadium.
Through this agreement, Copa Di Vino will also be included in various broadcast and digital advertising conducted by the athletic department.
Copa Di Vino is the leading producer of premium wine by the glass in the United States. Famously launched with multiple appearances on the hit television series, “Shark Tank,” the brand is now widely recognized for premium wines without the need for bottles, corkscrews or glass.
“This is a very exciting and unique opportunity for Copa Di Vino to not only see increased sales as we continue our execution in large venues, but to benefit from an association with one of the more widely recognized “brands” in the U.S.,” said Robert Nistico, Splash Beverage Group’s chairman and CEO.
“The University of Alabama Crimson Tide has the largest fan base in the SEC. Alabama football has appeared in 9 national championship games since 2009, and U of A Athletics hosts over 1.4 million spectators each academic year, including over 800,000 at Bryan Denny Stadium.
Single-serve wine Copa di Vino, through this agreement, will be allowed to use the Athletics Departments logos and we’d note that Alabama is the #1 selling brand in college athletics. U of A fans will see Copa signage throughout the venues. We’re thrilled with the exposure that Copa will receive.”
For updates on issues of interest to the adult beverage industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.
FMI: Consumers Adapt to Economy, Modify Holiday Grocery Budgets
This year, typical holiday stress is exacerbated by inflationary concerns, with 62 percent of shoppers reporting their grocery costs have increased year-over-year. Despite inflation-induced concerns, average weekly household grocery spending is currently at $148 per week, which is down from the $161 peak during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Industry Association released Part VI of its U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends 2022 series, “Holiday Shopping.” The final release from the expansive survey of food shoppers’ journeys explores the sentiment and behaviors of consumers as they head into the holiday season.
Heading into the holiday season, 45 percent of consumers report being most concerned about rising meal prices as compared to other holiday expenses. Fortunately, most shoppers indicate they are in control of their grocery budgets, with 71% of consumers making some adjustment to their holiday meal shopping to adapt to the changing economic landscape. This indicates that shoppers are still able to find budget-friendly items to meet their needs.
To mitigate increased costs, consumers say they are:
- Looking for deals (28 percent).
- Choosing store brands (21 percent).
- Enjoying more homecooked meals (20 percent).
- Making fewer dishes overall (17 percent).
- Substituting more affordable options (17 percent).
- Encouraging guests to bring dishes (17 percent).
- Spending less in other categories to provide holiday meals (17 percent).
“Food is the centerpiece for so many of our holiday gatherings. Despite inflationary pressures, consumers are determined to enjoy the festivities this year as they normally do,” said Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI. “The food industry is working tirelessly to keep costs down and to ensure that our timeless traditions can continue during this holiday season.”
Shortages were a hallmark of the pandemic across many industries, but progress made by food retailers and suppliers to curb widespread supply chain issues has kept consumer confidence up heading into the holidays. Only 27% of consumers report being “very concerned” about food items needed for holiday meals being out of stock.
Shoppers are resilient and if they run into stock issues when holiday food shopping, 50% report they would try something new, while 36 percent would look for a new recipe.
For news of interest to the grocery industry, subscribe to Gourmet News.