New U of M grants foster healthy eating in underserved communities

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (08/09/2011) —A new series of grants from the University of Minnesota's Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives Institute is aimed at helping people who live in disadvantaged communities eat healthier, safer diets. The grants, which are for about $50,000 each, include: Developing on-farm safe food handling practices for immigrant farmers in the Twin Cities who grow and sell fresh produce and traditional crops at local farmers markets. The project also includes training for farmers. The project is led by leaders from the Farmers Legal Action Group as well as the Association for the Advancement of Hmong Women in Minnesota, and U of M agricultural health and safety program leaders. Assessing and creating a plan for a Native American-owned grocery store and deli in Lake Andes, South Dakota, on the Yankton reservation. Researchers will study the economic viability of a business focused on healthy food as well as determine how local agencies and community members can work together to promote healthy nutrition. Brave Heart Society, based on the reservation, and scientists from the U of M's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and Medical School are the project leaders.