People don’t eat healthy foods for a number of reasons. Penn students may justify their bad habits by complaining that cooking takes thought and time, while grabbing take-out is quick and easy.
There are other obstacles in the way of getting better nutrition as well — and they pose especially large problems for those who are from impoverished areas. Fresh and organic ingredients are frequently more expensive than prepared foods, and the less fortunate may be uneducated about proper nutrition and the benefits of a balanced diet.
Programs working to remedy these issues in West Philadelphia, then, are most certainly praiseworthy.
For example, a program at University City High School is teaching students about the benefits of healthy eating and how to grow organic products. Targeting high schoolers is particularly important because smart eating habits will likely stick better if they are instilled in people at a young age.
Another program, the Food Trust’s Fresh Food Financing Initiative, deserves recognition for its focus on improving access to quality products. Among its accomplishments, the initiative has given a grant to a West Philadelphia store that was used to purchase refrigerators and other equipment. The easier it is for people to purchase fresh products, and the easier it is for stores to finance food storage, the better.
