The statistics are staggering. Nearly 60 percent of South San Diego County residents are overweight or obese. The rates of hospitalization and death from diabetes are the highest in the South region of the County.Now the City of Chula Vista has decided to do something about it.
Last year, the Chula Vista Elementary School District measured the BMI (body mass index) of more than 25,000 students.
“We found some startling news,” said Superintendent Francisco Escobedo. “By the time our sixth graders leave our district, we have about 25 percent of our boys and girls who are obese and about a third of them are overweight.”
The County of San Diego Healthy Works, in conjunction with several community partners, have joined with Chula Vista to unveil Cilantro to Stores – an initiative to bring fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce to neighborhood stores in the community.
Chula Vista unveiled the first four markets to participate in the program during a kickoff event at Sunset Market and Liquor on Wednesday.
“Providing fresh, local fruits and vegetables in convenience stores means healthier opportunities for our residents,” said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. “We’re making small, powerful changes in the way our community lives.”
Cilantro to Stores establishes a distribution system between local farmers and stores and provides assistance to store owners on food handling and storage. New displays have been added to each of the four participating merchants that will allow them to stock, display and sell fresh fruits and vegetables.
“From improving the design and walkability of our community to increasing the availability and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables, we are providing easier access for healthy choices for the residents of San Diego County,” said Dr. Eric McDonald, San Diego County Deputy Public Health Officer. “Adults and children here in the South Region consume fewer fresh fruits and vegetables and certainly less than the five servings recommended per day, compared to the rest of the County. In part this is because the community doesn’t have healthy options or have access. “
That’s one reason the four markets were chosen to participate. They are in key areas in need of access to fresh produce. Another was the four markets proximity to schools – a key partner in the battle against obesity.
“We are changing and transforming our culture at our schools,” said Escobedo. “We are looking at our policies and making some significant policy changes. It’s such a necessary moral obligation to shift how we live so we can have a better future not only for us but for our children as well.”
The four markets participating are Broadway Liquor, 151 Broadway; Bobar Market & Gas #8, 600 F Street; Sunset Market & Liquor, 985 Broadway; and Eagle Liquor Market, 1296 3rd Avenue.
Funding for Cilantro to Stores comes from a pass-through grant from the San Diego Association of Governments to the City of Chula Vista as part of Healthy Works. The Healthy Works project is administered by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency and is part of the County Live Well initiative, a 10-year vision for healthy communities. Visit www.HealhtyWorks.org for more information.
