Our team started this project because we realize Boyle Heights is lacking fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy options. In our community, there are only a few grocery stores and even less stores with fresh products. In a span of 1.2 miles there are at least five convenience stores, and major-chained grocery markets lacked a variety of fresh produce or healthy alternatives. Furthermore, we participated in a USC workshop last year about climate change and noticed the immense amount of waste and carbon emitted to package and transport produce from Central California and South America. The team members shared the preventable health concerns in their family such as diabetes, hypertension, and weigh increase. Yet, we also recognize Boyle Heights culture thrives on preparing food for gatherings, like many Angelenos communities. Collectively, we knew we needed to take action locally while embracing one's dietary routines.
We hope to activate knowledge and demonstrate simple alterations so our neighbors would keep the Latina recipes alive and our planet Earth healthy. |