Novo Nordisk grants US$2.8M to American University to address food security

06 Nov 2023 --- Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has extended a three-year grant of US$2.8M to the American University to address food security via its Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities Lab, which engages children, adults and seniors to tackle health inequities.

The grant will be used for health education and to grow the number of Black farmers producing locally grown fruit and vegetables. The goal is to improve local food supply chains and healthy foods options for residents in Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C.  

“Obesity, high blood pressure and other chronic ailments that disproportionately affect residents in Wards 7 and 8 show how the food system is not serving all residents in Washington, D.C. Transforming the food system is needed to improve health for all,” says Stacey Snelling, chair of the department of health studies in American University’s College of Arts and Sciences. 

Tackling poor health
According to Community Health Administration at DC Health, Wards 7 and 8 experience the starkest health disparities in the district and 72% of residents are considered obese. Chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and several types of cancer are associated with poor nutrition.

“Novo Nordisk is strongly committed to reducing the burden of chronic disease and that includes partnering with community-based organizations in underserved communities to improve access to drivers of health and wellness, such as food security,” says Jennifer Duck, vice president of public affairs at Novo Nordisk.The American University will use the grant money to boost the young African American farmer demographic. 

“Dynamic programs such as this one have the potential to build a holistically healthier future for the next generation.” 

Food ambassadors
Agricultural partners to the grant will create an apprentice and scholarship program for five urban African American youths every year to advance interest, knowledge and job training to expand agriculture and the supply chain.

Training on regenerative agriculture practices and the establishment of hydroponic farms and smart greenhouses will take place, as well as a “Food Ambassadors” program of five mobile markets to serve residents and expand the distribution of locally grown produce. 

“Working with new partners and accelerating the work of our existing ones will grow urban agriculture, the distribution of healthy foods and increase education on healthy eating and disease prevention,” says Snelling.

Faith organizations are another valuable social support network to promote health and education in Wards seven7 and eight8 where these resources are an important part of African American life. 

Partnerships with faith organizations will help residents with food assistance, nutrition counseling and addressing isolation among older adults through socialization over food.  

Meanwhile, 87% of US households remain food secure, as a newly released report by the USDA’s Economic Research Service concludes that 12.8% — 17 million US households — were food insecure in 2022, of which 5% or 5.1 million, had very low food security.

Edited by Inga de Jong

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