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Across Jamestown, local area churches and other not-for-profit organizations have taken up the fight against declared food desert locations around the city.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, a food desert is an impoverished area where residents lack access to healthy foods. Food deserts may exist in rural or urban areas and are associated with complex geographic and socioeconomic factors, as well as with poor diet and health disorders such as obesity.
Moreover, several churches, not-for-profits and other human services agencies have kicked in to help fight back against food insecurities.
"We have our summer and after school meal programs, which last year served 67,425 meals at 24 locations," said John Barber, operations director for the Jamestown Area YMCA. "Kids, traditionally, around here, have food insecurities during the summer months and right after scheduled school activities."
Furthermore, one local area church has kicked in and is fighting back against food deserts and food insecurities.
"Every Sunday, until Sept. 10, we have a free, open to the public, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables which are part of our church's Abundance Market," Luke Miller, an associate pastor with Conduit Ministries, said. "You don't have to attend church here, just come by and grab what you want and need."
"This is a no-strings attached, free to the public offering," said Cameron Lienhart, lead pastor of Conduit Ministries.
New York state has kicked in more than $2 million to the "Double Up Food Bucks" program, which encourages people to buy and eat more local and healthy grown produce and will double their purchasing power, by more than $20 a day.
For more information about the outdoor Abundance Market or the YMCA's food programs contact Conduit Ministries at 716-294-3180 and the Jamestown Area YMCA at 716-664-2802.