The HEAL Hunger Initiative creates and aligns systems across government agencies and community organizations so everyone in Marin County has access to affordable, healthy food. HEAL partners work in three priority areas: CalFresh, Food Now and Built Environment.
CalFresh
CalFresh is the name of California’s food assistance program known across the country as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Problem: Marin County has one of the lowest estimated CalFresh participation rates in California. Only around 45% of eligible residents receive CalFresh benefits.
Fact: If fully utilized, CalFresh, would generate an additional $45million in local economic activity.
Solution: Increase food assistance program participation by 10% in Marin County by 2021.
Food Now
Increasing access to food for hungry people when they need it.
Problem: Marin County’s food distribution systems are fragmented.
Fact: 26% older adults are at risk of food insecurity
Solution: Enhance the current food distribution system to include screening, referrals and mobile services.
Built Environment
Problem: Lack of environments that support and empower low-income communities to meet their economic needs.
Fact: Poverty is the number one indicator of food insecurity
Solution: Support urban and school farming as well as green job opportunities
Respondiendo a COVID-19
Recursos Comunitarios del Condado de Marín Durante COVID-19 Condado de Marin Health & Human Services COVID-19 Website: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/ Recursos de Comida Disponible a Marin: https://www.marinhhs.org/food-resources-marin Marin Recovers Website:...
HEAL Statement on Black Lives Matter and Racial Equity – Spring 2020 Newsletter
We are living in unprecedented times as we have had to learn to shelter in place under a global pandemic and many in the Bay Area facing mandatory curfews as thousands or people desperately seek outlets crying out for change. Cries that have fallen on deaf ears for...
A Resilient Local Food System – Spring 2020 Newsletter
by Andy Naja-Riese, HEAL Steering Committee Co-Chair Back in March—which feels like a year ago—Governor Newsom declared farmers markets, food banks, and school foods as essential services, thereby allowing us to inclusively serve more children and families to achieve...
Responding to COVID-19 – Spring 2020 Newsletter
Marin County Resources During COVID-19 Marin County Health & Human Services COVID-19 Website: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/ Food Resources available in Marin County: https://www.marinhhs.org/food-resources-marin Marin Recovers Website:...
Built Environment – November 2019 Newsletter
Marin City's Intergenerational Garden Program Successfully Implements "Train the Trainer" Model This summer, 80 youth enrolled in the Marin City summer recreation program attended garden nutrition classes coupled with hands-on gardening. Youth prepared their buckets...
FoodNow – November 2019 Newsletter
Healthy Food and Beverage Standards Update More than one in five Marin County household's are food insecure or struggling to avoid hunger. Food pantries play a critical role in securing food for many of these households. This has a large impact on the kinds of food...
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