Laredoans Share Thoughts on Food, Health with USDA in TAMIU Listening Session
A special community listening session, “Building a Healthy Community Together,” provided Laredoans with an opportunity to share their thoughts on food and health with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Texas A&M AgriLife’s Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture (IHA) at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) this week.
The March 21, 2023 session encouraged input from the Hispanic community to help ensure USDA’s science-based solutions on nutrition and diet-related chronic diseases are impactful and relevant to the communities it serves.
USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, and Chief Scientist Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young said she was impressed with the Laredo response and engagement.
“The overwhelming response from the Laredo community demonstrates the importance of community-based conversations linking healthy eating and disease prevention. We appreciated the eagerness and engagement of our participants who shared important perspectives about their communities’ lived experiences in accessing healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate foods,” Dr. Jacobs-Young said. “Engaging with diverse communities is integral to advancing USDA’s nutrition research efforts as we work together with partners like TAMIU and the Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture to retool the way our society approaches healthy eating.”
Under Secretary Jacobs-Young met with Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño and other community leaders recently in Washington. They shared their concern for food deserts, like that in downtown Laredo since the closure of the only accessible grocery store.
“Having access to affordable and healthy food is essential. We all want to eat to live well and are united in a shared commitment to a real future without health disparities,” she observed.
The day offered participants a chance to engage in tabletop listening sessions focused on barriers to healthy eating, trusted sources of food and health information, and factors that would help to encourage a healthy lifestyle, among others. TAMIU College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing student nurses helped facilitate the conversations and collect responses.
A “share fair” provided information on nutrition programs, healthy eating advice, and community programs. A food demonstration segment by Angie Sifuentes with the Texas A&M Extension Service showcased a healthy watermelon salad recipe for sampling. Attendees also had a chance to participate in a video story session to share their personal thoughts on food and health in their life.
In addition to Dr. Jacobs-Young, The Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz greeted participants and offered opening remarks.
Chancellor Sharp noted the A&M System’s legacy of health advocacy.
“The Texas A&M System has long been involved in improving health results in South Texas, first in our Healthy South Texas program and now, working with the USDA, our Institute for Advancing Health through Agriculture,” Sharp noted.
“The health of my constituents is my number one priority – and good health begins with good nutrition,” Congressman Cuellar said, “Our community’s input will help the federal government ensure guaranteed access to healthy and affordable food that will lead to improved overall health for South Texas families. I want to thank the USDA, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz, and the rest of The Texas A&M University System for taking the initiative to finding viable solutions to diet-related health disparities in our community.”
TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the University was honored to partner with USDA and IHA to present the event.
“We are keenly aware of the diet-related health disparities in our community and how certain food choices can, unfortunately, lead to health outcomes including diet-related chronic diseases and cancer. This initiative offered a positive opportunity to gain and share knowledge and impact solutions,” Dr. Arenaz noted.
The event was the second in a series of listening sessions hosted by USDA as part of its Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet (ASCEND) for Better Health initiative. The first event was held in partnership with Southern University Ag Center in Baton Rouge, LA, in January.
ASCEND for Better Health is a virtual science center that aims to accelerate research on diet-related chronic diseases and translate that research into impactful solutions that improve public health.
This initiative supports President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot effort and advances the goals outlined in the Biden-Harris Administration National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health.
For additional information on ASCEND for Better Health, visit http://bit.ly/usda-ascend.
