Johnsons Park Health Alliance: Building a Culture of Community Sufficiency for Health in the Fond du Lac and North Avenue Neighborhoods

Project Description Narrative:

African Americans suffer disproportionately from cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and diabetes. A community’s local food environment is associated with an individual’s ability to meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption to reduce chronic disease and promote health. In the 53205 zip code of Milwaukee’s Fond du Lac and North Avenue area, residents of low socioeconomic areas are almost twice as likely to be physically inactive and obese.

This project will address resident-identified health concerns and the deeper socioeconomic and environmental challenges that serve as barriers to health in Milwaukee’s Johnson Park neighborhood. Through the Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) Model, residents will be taught how to access local produce, build skills for cooking and preparing healthy meals, and create opportunities for safe physical activity. The project is based on lessons learned through previous pilots to promote safe physical activity and build a comprehensive farm-to-fork strategy for improving access to and consumption of fresh and healthy foods.

Community partners: Fondy Food Center, Inc., Johnsons Park Neighborhood Association, Seedfolks Youth Ministry