Addressing Food Insecurity in Clark County, Nevada

ULD 780:

Legacy Project

Three Square

Tyler Johnson, Lauren Lee,

Brandon Monson, Haven Neiman

What is Three Square?

• Mission: To provide wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community.
• Partners: Work with a service network of community partners (this includes nonprofit and faith-based organizations, schools and after school and feeding sites) in our community to reach struggling individuals and families at risk of hunger.
• Distributed more than 41 million meals through 2019, which is the equivalent of more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products.

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—Three Square

“Together, we are stronger.

Together, we can feed everyone.”

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What is Food Insecurity?

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.
• According to 2017 food insecurity data from Three Square (TS), approximately one out of every eight residents in Clark County (12.8%) is food insecure.

Food Insecurity Facts

• Covid -19 proved to be even more tragic within the southern Nevada community. It is believed that more than 363,000 Southern Nevadans are experiencing food insecurity. 97% of the total food insecure population in Southern Nevada resided in Clark County.
• According to 2017 food insecurity data from Three Square (TS), approximately one out of every eight residents in Clark County (12.8%) is food insecure. With this project, we are aiming to accomplish a strategic plan following along bus routes in zip codes with high food insecurity rates.

Chicago

Los Angeles

Examples of Past Solutions in Other Cities

New York

• More than 500,000 residents live in food deserts
• 400,000 live in neighborhoods with mostly fast food restaurants with no grocery stores nearby
• Past solutions: opening food co-ops in these neighborhoods.
• Offer cooking and nutrition classes

• LA City Council enacted a moratorium on new fast food outlets in a 32-square-mile zone where most of LA’s food deserts are
• Passed another measure offering more grocery stores and sit-down restaurants serving healthier meals

• 750,000 residents live in food deserts
• Three million live in places where stores that sell fresh produce are far away
• City started its Green Carts program
• Brings affordable fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved areas
• Number of Green Carts is growing rapidly

Our Methodology

Analysis

Research

Data study

Solutions

Analyze the relevant data.

Craft a unique solution to the issue.

The facts about food insecurity.

Take into account location of the food deserts + bus stops

Our Approach: Bus Stop Pop-Up Markets

Goal #1:

Goal #2

Increase easier access to nutritious foods.

Provide different recipe options and information for additional resources.

Program Objectives/Information

• This strategic plan was formed to help increase access to nutritious foods and to provide recipes that are more diverse to individuals experiencing food insecurity.
• The goal is to increase awareness to those within food deserts to the access that is available through Three Square and their community partners.
• Food deserts are often within low-income communities with limited access to transportation and nutritious food getting information to service users was a primary focus. Utilizing the RTC as a form of both transportation to food pantries and access to information was critical.

Clark County Food Desert Map

RTC Route Map

Pop-Up Market Information

• The Goal: Support the Las Vegas community by addressing the serious food desert issue.
• Leverage the community food pantries established by Three Square along with transportation support through RTC and their bus routes which travel throughout the Clark County food deserts.

Food Box Information

• Food boxes would include brochures that include recipes to the 20 most common food items found in food bank donations.
• GOAL: Craft boxes that would provide better and more nutritious foods to individuals in food deserts experiencing food insecurity.
• We would also provide recipes for more culturally diverse meals utilizing these food staples to further support our diverse community while also getting food into the hands of those in need.

20 Most Distributed Food Items for Three Square

1 Fresh Apples

2 Fresh Oranges

3 2% Fresh Milk

4 1% Fresh Milk

5 Whole Fresh Milk

6 Garbanzo Beans

7 Frozen Eggs

8 Orange Juice

9 Fresh Eggs

10 Whole Bagged Chicken

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11 Fresh Potatoes

12 Chicken Leg Quarters

13 Pork Loin Roast

14 Split Green Pea Beans

15 Fresh Grapes

16 White Rice

17 Tomato Sauce

18 Split Yellow Pea Beans

19 Pork Patties

20 Cheddar Cheese

Recipes

Easy Turkey Skillet Dinner

Makes: 4 servings, approximately 1 cup each

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Non-stick cooking spray

3/4 pound lean ground turkey

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

3 tomatoes, chopped

3 Tablespoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon each dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder

1 /2 teaspoon salt

1 /4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 medium zucchinis, sliced

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Directions:

1. Wash hands with warm water and soap. Wash fresh vegetables before preparing. 2. Spray nonstick cooking spray in a large skillet.

3. Brown turkey and onion over medium heat until turkey is cooked through and onion is soft, about 10 minutes.

4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasoning. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes.

5. Add zucchini and cook for 5 minutes more. Serve while hot.

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Baked Pork Tenderloin

Makes: 8 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

1 or 2½ pound pork tenderloins

1 tablespoon oil

2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon, lime, or orange juice (or 1 tablespoon of each) 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but highly recommended)

1 /4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400^° F and lightly grease a large baking/casserole dish. Pierce tenderloins all over with a fork. Rub oil onto all sides of the meat. 2. Whisk together Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika (if using) and black pepper. Sprinkle mixture over tenderloin(s), patting it onto the surface of the meat on all sides. Place in prepared baking dish and drizzle lemon/lime juice over the top.

3. Bake for 25-35 minutes until outside is browned, crispy and centers are cooked through to desired doneness (you can take them out on the early side if you like the centers a little pink).

4. Spoon juices from the dish over the meat. Allow to rest on a cutting board or in the baking dish for 5-10 minutes. Slice into 1 inch pieces. Spoon any remaining juices from the pan over the slices, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired, and serve.

Physical Deliverable: Pamphlet

Three Square

Recipes

Bus Routes

RTC

Event Info.

Program Info.

Contact information

Recipes for produce given from Three Square

Bus route information.

Contact information

Dates, times, etc.

What’s included, important info, etc.