Farm to Fork: Cultivating Grassroots Capacity to Transform Food Access

Project Description Narrative:

Recent years have seen a drastic rise in obese and overweight individuals across the country. Regardless of income, more African Americans are reported to be overweight than whites, a situation formed by increased consumption of convenience foods and sugary beverages, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, and limited options in terms of grocery stores, food choices in those stores, and lack of access to private transportation for food shopping.

In Milwaukee—which ranks worst overall in the state for important health determinants—the Fond du Lac and North Avenue planning area is home to a high level of poverty and a predominantly African American population. Partners behind this project aim to reduce nutrition-related health risks and disparities for this planning area, improving access to nutritious and affordable food through a farm-to-fork strategy program.