College students at Grand Canyon University speaking out about the food scarcity areas in Arizona
In a striking move towards community development, four Grand Canyon University (GCU) students have embarked on a mission to improve food access and nutrition in Phoenix's food deserts, particularly in the areas of Alhambra and Maryvale.
The students' capstone project, driven by a desire to drive change rather than just study it, focuses on exploring how delivery services could close transportation gaps in food-insecure areas. This innovative approach has sparked discussions on policy replication, with the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of local residents.
According to the students' research, areas like Alhambra and Maryvale face limited access to fresh and affordable food due to transportation issues and a lack of nearby grocery options. This situation, often referred to as a food desert, makes it difficult for residents to buy healthy and nutritious food.
To tackle this issue, the students are collaborating with the Alhambra Elementary School District, a local church, and nonprofits to develop community gardens. These gardens aim to provide spaces for local residents to grow their own fruits and vegetables, thereby improving food security and diet quality.
In a remarkable turn of events, the students' efforts have secured a $10,000 grant from the Gates Foundation for a pilot program to provide grocery delivery in Alhambra and Maryvale through Fry's grocery stores. Additionally, a second $25,000 grant has been secured for a financial literacy project for next semester's capstone class.
Leandra Lepp, a student writer at GCU, is at the forefront of this initiative. She can be reached at [email protected] for more information.
Meanwhile, GCU's ICMA chapter hopes to present their work at the group's annual conference in Tampa, Florida, this fall. This platform could provide an opportunity to share their innovative approach with a wider audience and potentially inspire similar initiatives in other communities.
Professor Evelyn Racette, who published an article emphasizing the link between economic mobility and community access, is supportive of the students' project. She is currently surveying residents over six months to evaluate the impact of the Kroger Boost program, although details about a specific "Boost" program related to food deserts are not available.
Aside from the students' initiative, GCU alumna Ramirez is leading efforts to launch community gardens in Phoenix. Ramirez, who aspires to become a local government department director in economic development or parks and recreation, plans to work with the city of Phoenix and the ICMA club to organise the community garden initiative.
Ramirez's commitment to community development has been recognised with her acceptance into the Marvin Andrews and Jane Morris Fellowship at Arizona State University. This prestigious fellowship comes with a full scholarship and a two-year internship, further solidifying Ramirez's dedication to making a difference in her community.
The students' work serves as a shining example of how young minds can drive change and address pressing issues in their communities. Their initiative, if successful, could pave the way for similar projects aimed at improving food access and nutrition in food deserts across the nation.
- The capstone project of four Grand Canyon University students aims to explore the use of delivery services to close transportation gaps in food-insecure areas, such as Alhambra and Maryvale.
- The students' research indicates that these food-insecure areas face limited access to fresh and affordable food due to transportation issues and a lack of nearby grocery options, often referred to as food deserts.
- The students are collaborating with the Alhambra Elementary School District, a local church, and nonprofits to develop community gardens, which aim to provide spaces for local residents to grow their own fruits and vegetables, thereby improving food security and diet quality.
- The students' efforts have secured a $10,000 grant from the Gates Foundation for a pilot program to provide grocery delivery in Alhambra and Maryvale through Fry's grocery stores.
- GCU student Leandra Lepp is at the forefront of this initiative and can be reached at [email protected] for more information.
- GCU alumna Ramirez, a recipient of the Marvin Andrews and Jane Morris Fellowship at Arizona State University, is leading efforts to launch community gardens in Phoenix, demonstrating a strong commitment to community development and education-and-self-development.
