At a Big Church, a Small Group Health Solution

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/10/at-a-big-church-a-small-group-health-solution

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

10 November 2011

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The best way to lose weight is to join a small group. This article looks at the case study of Saddleback Church in southern California that mixed faith and peer support to help congregates lose weight, including the pastor. Surveys found that 72% of participants lost weight as a result of the program.

At a YMCA Near You, a Course for a Diabetic Nation

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/07/03/at-a-ymca-near-you-a-course-for-a-diabetic-nation

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

3 July 2014

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We know how to prevent diabetes - but the U.S, medical system, with its twisted priorities, doesn’t cover prevention. A new program at the YMCA aims to build structured, effective prevention measures.

Closing the Broccoli Gap

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/06/05/closing-the-broccoli-gap

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

5 June 2015

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The lack of access to healthy food has always been a problem for the financially unstable. Food stamps can now be used to buy fresh produce at farmers markets, but greater success could be achieved by getting grocery stores involved.

Conquering Food Deserts With Green Carts

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/18/conquering-food-deserts-with-green-carts

David Bornstein

The New York Times

18 April 2012

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Programs to get fresh produce carts to areas with no access to healthy food work best when government and determined entrepreneurs team up. Success from this model is evident in New York City, where the city has incentivized the selling of fruits and vegetables by street vendors in areas that are in the most need of the produce.

FDA's ‘terrible policy error' blocks simple step to prevent fatal birth defects

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/tweak-to-corn-flour-could-help-prevent-fatal-birth-defects-growing-in-3-wash-counties

JoNel Aleccia

The Seattle Times

11 July 2015

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The life-saving vitamin folic acid is added to flour in the United States, but Hispanics tend to eat little flour. Adding folic acid to corn flour would reduce birth defects in Hispanic women in the U.S.

Former Black Panther Launches Oakland Urban Farm to Give Ex-Prisoners a Fresh Start

http://civileats.com/2015/09/09/former-black-panther-launches-oakland-urban-farm-to-give-ex-prisoners-a-fresh-start

Sarah Henry

Civil Eats

9 September 2015

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After incarceration, Black men and women have a difficult time re-integrating into society without financial and educational resources. A former Black Panther activist has created the non-profit Oakland &the World Enterprises to offer an urban farm as a prisoner re-entry program and community center. The Oakland project supports self-sufficiency, self-determination, and empowerment for Black people.

Fruit, Not Fries: Lunchroom Makeovers Nudge Kids Toward Better Choices

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2013/03/29/175710393/fruit-not-fries-lunchroom-makeovers-nudge-kids-toward-better-choices

Kevin Charles Redmon

NPR

2 April 2013

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With child obesity on the rise, public school students have lacked the motivation and access to eat healthy food. Different programs around the country aim to improve student diet in public schools, including Real Eats for Academics and Life in Los Angeles and Cornell’s Smarter Lunchrooms Movement, by emailing nutrition report cards to parents, presenting the healthy food with aesthetic pleasure, and the arrangement of the food for access.

Growing A Solution To California's Groundwater Crisis

http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/06/growing-a-solution-to-californias-groundwater-crisis

Peyton Fleming

National Geographic

6 August 2014

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Due to drought and water shortage in California's Central Coast, community members collaborate with local government to create better water usage systems from runoff and to recycle waste water in order to irrigate crops.

Denmark Might Be Winning The Global Race To Prevent Food Waste

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/01/436292784/denmark-might-be-winning-the-global-race-to-prevent-food-waste

Sidsel Overgaard

NPR

1 September 2015

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To decrease the nation's food waste, activists in Denmark showed the people that it was safe to buy and consume items that were very recently expired. From live demonstrations where celebrity chef features expired items in the entrees to reducing prices for out-of-date items, "Danes now throw away 25 percent less food than they did five years ago."

For Weight Loss, a Recipe of Teamwork and Trust

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/for-weight-loss-a-recipe-of-teamwork-and-trust

Tina Rosenberg

The New York Times

15 November 2011

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While weight loss can be challenging to maintain, different structures are being created to help. Certain support groups, financial incentives, and tough love are proving to be effective.