The following text was sent to our Yakima leaders. Help me bring a health food store to Yakima!!
Unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States. “About one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Yakima County has higher obesity prevalence than the state average (DOH, 2009).
In the East Valley/Moxee area, the closest grocery store is Wal-Mart. This is known as a food desert. According to mySidewalk.com (2016), a food desert is described as an area where a substantial number of residents are at least a mile away from the nearest grocery store. Food deserts can contribute to unhealthy eating habits and fuel the obesity epidemic. Food deserts are preventable. Yakima County is known for its agriculture. Yakima is Washington State’s leader in the production of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, asparagus, eggplant and many more (City of Yakima, 2018). With the abundance of healthy food, why is our population so unhealthy?
In May 2018, the Yakima Herald-Republic posted an article regarding the proposal of a “28,000-square-foot grocery store.” I urge you and fellow leaders to bring a health food store to the area. Yokes Fresh Market, New Seasons, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods are all markets that would flourish in the Yakima Valley. These markets use local produce which would support our economy, and in turn, help overcome the obesity epidemic. I encourage the city of Yakima to focus on restoring the health of our residents. Stop focusing on fast-food restaurants, instead focus on place-based resources and health.
Updates
September 5, 2018
I spent the morning looking at local zoning maps while thinking about how strange it is that we grow so much food here yet cannot find a decent grocery store in our own neighborhood. People keep messaging me about the lack of options near Moxee and it feels like everyone is just waiting for someone to finally listen to what we need.
September 5, 2018
I really thought this might just stay a small idea in my head but look at how many people actually care about our access to fresh produce here. It feels like things are finally shifting because the momentum is becoming something you can actually feel in the air while I walk through these neighborhoods.
17 Comments
Enough fast food and restaurants all together. Everyone is overweight in this town.
YAKIMA NEEDS THIS BAD. Get us a Trader Joes already!
Living in Moxee is so hard when you want fresh produce. Tired of driving all the way to Walmart every single week. We deserve better options locally.
This is long past due. I know many people that are into healthy lifestyles and would benefit totally with one of these health food stores being introduced into the East Valley community. Please sign the petition and share this post.
I think this is a great idea and feel as though this is something that the Yakima area has needed for a long time.
We need this!!!
Yes, we need a health food store in yakima!
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The following text was sent to our Yakima leaders. Help me bring a health food store to Yakima!!
Unhealthy eating habits have contributed to the obesity epidemic in the United States. “About one-third of U.S. adults (33.8%) are obese and approximately 17% (or 12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2—19 years are obese” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Yakima County has higher obesity prevalence than the state average (DOH, 2009).
In the East Valley/Moxee area, the closest grocery store is Wal-Mart. This is known as a food desert. According to mySidewalk.com (2016), a food desert is described as an area where a substantial number of residents are at least a mile away from the nearest grocery store. Food deserts can contribute to unhealthy eating habits and fuel the obesity epidemic. Food deserts are preventable. Yakima County is known for its agriculture. Yakima is Washington State’s leader in the production of apples, cherries, peaches, pears, asparagus, eggplant and many more (City of Yakima, 2018). With the abundance of healthy food, why is our population so unhealthy?
In May 2018, the Yakima Herald-Republic posted an article regarding the proposal of a “28,000-square-foot grocery store.” I urge you and fellow leaders to bring a health food store to the area. Yokes Fresh Market, New Seasons, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods are all markets that would flourish in the Yakima Valley. These markets use local produce which would support our economy, and in turn, help overcome the obesity epidemic. I encourage the city of Yakima to focus on restoring the health of our residents. Stop focusing on fast-food restaurants, instead focus on place-based resources and health.
Updates
September 5, 2018
I spent the morning looking at local zoning maps while thinking about how strange it is that we grow so much food here yet cannot find a decent grocery store in our own neighborhood. People keep messaging me about the lack of options near Moxee and it feels like everyone is just waiting for someone to finally listen to what we need.
September 5, 2018
I really thought this might just stay a small idea in my head but look at how many people actually care about our access to fresh produce here. It feels like things are finally shifting because the momentum is becoming something you can actually feel in the air while I walk through these neighborhoods.
17 Comments
Trader Joe’s would be an awesome, and much needed addition to the Yakima area. I know many people who live in the valley who are regular customers of Trader Joe’s. They head over with coolers in their cars, stock up, and head back.
Enough fast food and restaurants all together. Everyone is overweight in this town.
YAKIMA NEEDS THIS BAD. Get us a Trader Joes already!
Living in Moxee is so hard when you want fresh produce. Tired of driving all the way to Walmart every single week. We deserve better options locally.
This is long past due. I know many people that are into healthy lifestyles and would benefit totally with one of these health food stores being introduced into the East Valley community. Please sign the petition and share this post.
I think this is a great idea and feel as though this is something that the Yakima area has needed for a long time.
We need this!!!
Yes, we need a health food store in yakima!
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Trader Joe’s would be an awesome, and much needed addition to the Yakima area. I know many people who live in the valley who are regular customers of Trader Joe’s. They head over with coolers in their cars, stock up, and head back.