Authority Health has introduced a new program aimed at combating unhealthy eating habits in Detroit’s “food swamps” — areas with limited access to nutritious food but abundant fast food options. The initiative, called “Healthy and Resilient Communities” (HaRC), will make fresh, healthy food more accessible in neighborhoods where it is most needed, including areas on Detroit’s east and west sides.
The three-year initiative, funded by a $5 million state appropriation resulting from the Michigan Coronavirus Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Task Force, will feature coolers stocked with healthy food options in convenience stores, a food truck offering fresh food samples, and neighborhood-based community health workers providing education about the connection between food, health, and the importance of having a primary care home.
Loretta V. Bush, president and CEO of Authority Health, emphasized the urgent need for such a program, particularly in Black and brown communities hit hardest by COVID-19. “The pandemic’s devastating effect on communities of color exposed pre-existing health disparities, many of which are linked to chronic diseases that can be prevented or managed through good nutrition,” said Bush.
She also pointed to a pilot program called “Mi Plato, Mi Vida” (My Plate, My Life) launched in Southwest Detroit, which showed that when convenience stores offered healthy food at affordable prices, customers were willing to make better choices. The new HaRC initiative builds on this success by scaling up to more neighborhoods, in partnership with Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market, a Detroit-area fine food retailer.
“This opportunity to bring fresh, healthy food to local communities in metro Detroit is more important than ever,” said Anthony Curtis, managing member of Papa Joe’s. “We’ve been working with hospitals for over 15 years, and we are now excited to extend our mission to local neighborhoods with Authority Health.”
HaRC’s approach is multifaceted and designed to meet people where they are. Community health workers will actively engage with residents, offering education on how nutrition impacts health. These efforts will be supported by a healthy food truck, which will travel to neighborhood events and church programs, offering food samples and nutritional information. Additionally, convenient stores in seven Detroit zip codes will receive coolers filled with fresh wraps, salads, and fruits, encouraging healthier choices in high-traffic areas.
“The beauty of this program is its scalability,” added Bush. “This model can be implemented in any community in Michigan, and it will make a difference.”
The seven areas identified for intensive outreach are adjacent to the Popoff Family Health Center on Detroit’s east side and the Hope Family Health Center in the Nardin Park community on the west side. These regions, classified as “food swamps,” will receive targeted nutritional interventions, including retail partnerships, educational efforts, and neighborhood outreach programs over the course of three years.
With this initiative, Authority Health continues its mission of addressing health disparities through community engagement and innovative approaches. The HaRC initiative complements existing programs like “Food as Medicine” and the Fresh Prescription program, working to improve public health through better access to nutritious food.
As the program rolls out, Authority Health aims to create a sustainable, long-term impact by changing health behaviors and encouraging healthier choices in the communities that need it most.
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