Food & Nutrition Sessions Address Access/Insecurity, SNAP, and Policy

It’s no secret that food insecurity and food access is a problem in South Carolina, especially for those who live in a food desert and those who live in areas with limited access or no access to healthy foods. Many South Carolina communities are trying to change that through SNAP and mobile market initiatives and by establishing policies that provide access to healthy choices.

Several communities are partnering to present on their successes and goals. There will be three food and nutrition sessions at the Leadership Summit:

  1. Addressing Food Insecurity and Improving Healthy Food Access in Rural Communities, Monday, October 23, 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
    This session will demonstrate the need for community collaboration to bring a collective impact in fighting food insecurity and inequality in rural communities. As an example, the United Way of Kershaw County’s Mobile Nutrition Center fights food insecurity and inequality by delivering food boxes, which addresses not only the concern of hunger, but the health ailments that low-income residents face due to food insecurity and inequality. In the rural counties of Lee and Williamsburg in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina, food security and access to healthy foods are factors that are linked to risk for overweight or obesity.  Collecting and using data to support obesity prevention activities as well as environmental supports and partnership development are promising strategies that are effective in addressing obesity-related disparities.
  1. Promoting SNAP Champions: Innovations with Farmers’ Markets and SNAP Outreach Strategies to Support Healthy Eating for South Carolina Families, Monday, October 23, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
    This session explores practical ways to promote healthy eating by increasing access to nutrition programs through various initiatives, including Hub City’s “SNAP Champion” Model and SC Thrive’s SNAP Outreach Partnership Model. The presenters will highlight the importance of community partnerships to increase impact of initiatives created to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy, stabilized communities.
  1. Creating the First Municipal Food Policy Committee of SC and Replicating this Effort Across the State, Tuesday, October 24, 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
    The City of Columbia will outline how the city formed the first municipal Food Policy Committee in the state, the purpose and will discuss the goals and the potential projects. Speakers will also discuss the importance and ramifications of a city making the decision to form an FPC in its municipal government.

Take advantage of these great sessions at the Leadership Summit, October 23-24 in downtown Columbia. Register online today!