Building Access to Food through Systems and Solidarity

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SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Leveraging our deep experience with conducting community-engaged research, the goal of the Building Access to Food through Systems and Solidarity (BASIS) Study is to improve diet by providing culturally appropriate food access and attending to drivers that limit the ability to achieve nutrition securit y in Sunset Park – a community of Mexican and Chinese American families in Brooklyn, NY that has been hard-hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, has lagged in economic recovery, and where residents are disconnected from government supports. Significance. Latinx and Asian American communities face unique, yet similar structural and social inequities contributing to poor diet quality, which have contributed to the increased burden of diabetes and non -alcoholic fatty liver disease in these groups. The past two years has exacerbated these barriers due to overt anti-immigrant and anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic, invoking fear, cultural shame, and loss of a sense of security for these groups – factors which have fueled challenges towards accessing food and economic stability. Approach. Working collaboratively with four farming/gardening organizations, one elementary school and three community-based organizations, our aims are: Aim 1: To implement a whole-of-community intervention in Sunset Park for improving diet and the social/built environments for low-income Mexican and Chinese American immigrants. The BASIS program will include in- language navigation for food business owners/residents to government assistanc e / workforce development programs; a subsidized fresh produce box program; gardening and nutrition education; and a social marketing campaign to promote healthy eating behavior changes and cultural awareness. Materials will be culturally appropriate and specific to each community, yet also highlight similarities across both groups . Aim 2: To evaluate the BASIS program impact at the community, interpersonal and individual levels . The evaluation plan will employ administrative data sources and mixed methods to assess outcomes at multiple levels. Outcomes will be assessed in Sunset Park and in 4 comparison communities that are predominantly Mexican and Chinese American (Corona, East Harlem; Chinatown, Elmhurst, respectively). We hypothesize that stability in the food retail sector and improvements in neighborhood social cohesion, diet, ethnic pride and sense of belonging will be observed in Sunset Park vs. comparison communities. Aim 3: To co-develop a multi-faceted sustainability strategy with multi-sector stakeholders. Sustainability is a central priority of the BASIS program and is driven by commitment to community priorities; investment in infrastructure and workforce development; and engagement in the local food policy dialogue. Impact. BASIS presents a powerful model to improve diet in immigrant communities by addressing determinants of food access in a community-centered, culturally competent way, and by fortifying community empowerment.