Building Access to Food through Systems and Solidarity

New York University School Of Medicine, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY Leveraging our deep experience with conducting community-engaged research, the goal of the Building Access to Food through Systems and Solidarity (BASIS) Study is to improve diet by boosting local infrastructure and community resilience in Sunset Park – a community in Brooklyn, NY that has been hard-hit in recent years and has lagged in economic recovery. Significance. Poor diet quality, defined by minimal consumption of vegetables, fruits, dairy and whole grains and higher consumption of ultra processed foods and beverages/food items with added sugar – accounts for 45% of cardiometabolic mortality. Despite this knowledge, national data from 2017-20 indicate 37% of Americans report poor diet quality and moderate to low adherence to recommended dietary guidelines as measured by the Healthy Eating Index. Lastly, the majority of extant nutrition initiatives have not engaged with nor prioritized the needs of farmers. Approach. Working collaboratively with four farming/gardening organizations, two elementary schools and four community-based organizations, and applying a systems science lens, our aims are: Aim 1: To implement a whole-of-community intervention in Sunset Park for improving diet and the social/built environments for neighborhood residents. The BASIS program will include a cost-offset fresh produce box program featuring produce grown by local farms; nutrition education; and hands-on experiential learning activities (e.g., tours, cooking workshops). Program activities will be available for all neighborhood residents and take place in person to maximize community building, sharing and learning. Aim 2: To evaluate the BASIS program impact at the community, interpersonal and individual levels. The evaluation plan will employ administrative data sources and mixed methods to assess outcomes at multiple levels. Outcomes will be assessed in Sunset Park and in three comparison communities with similar socioeconomic and demographic distributions as Sunset Park. We hypothesize that diet, vegetable intake, stress and stability of the local community will be observed in Sunset Park vs. comparison communities. Aim 3: To co-develop a multi-faceted sustainability strategy with multi-sector stakeholders. Sustainability is a central priority of the BASIS program and is driven by commitment to community priorities; investment in infrastructure and workforce development; and engagement in the local food policy dialogue. Impact. BASIS presents a powerful model to improve diet in local communities by bridging gaps between local farmers, community members and community-serving institutions and organizations.