While Iowa is one of the nation’s top food producers, people in some areas of the state don’t have easy access to fruits and vegetables. Courtney Pinard, a research scientist, says a study finds neighborhoods that lack access to healthy foods have obesity rates 52-percent higher than communities with ready access to fresh produce.  “A lot of communities are considered what we call food deserts and that’s when the distance to the nearest full-service grocery store is more than a mile for urban areas and for rural areas, it’s ten miles,” according to Pinard.

Pinard, who works at the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition in Omaha, says”Many communities, especially in Iowa, do have this challenge.” While many Iowans have large supermarkets nearby featuring well-stocked produce sections, she says not everyone is as fortunate. “They don’t really have access and for the majority of the population, the middle- to upper-income, they don’t really see that but, if you go into a store in a lower-income community, even the quality of the products might not be the same,” Pinard says. “The fresh fruits and vegetables just don’t even look that good.”

Efforts are underway to improve all Iowans’ access to five food categories: fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole grains. Pinard says, “Moving forward, we’d like to have a national program to be able to support the type of work that we’re doing and also just to increase food access in our communities.”

The Farm Bill, which is still tied up in Congress, is expected to include funding for what’s called the Healthy Food Financing Initiative. The program promises to improve access to healthy food, bringing with it health benefits and revitalized communities by creating jobs and supporting small businesses.

(Radio Iowa)

Extension education officials and more than 6-million young people from across the country are celebrating National 4-H week, which runs October 6^th through the 12^th. Beth Irlbeck, Cass County Extension Youth Coordinator says the week will be marked with of a lot of different activities.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation has dedicated each day to one of the four “H’s” of 4-H (Head, Heart, Health and Hands), with the final day celebrating the 4-H color, green.  Irlbeck says area businesses are showing their support of the organization, through window displays created by several community clubs.

There are 15 4-H Clubs in Cass County, with more than 300 members and 30 volunteers. Cass County Extension will be hosting a coloring contest for all kindergarten through third grade youth. You can visit the extension’s website, download the coloring sheet and return it to the Extension Office. On Saturday, Oct. 12^th, during Atlantic’s HarvestFest, there will be additional activities for youth, and opportunities to learn more about 4-H. Extension personnel will be available during the event, from 10-a.m. until 4-p.m. She says there’s also a petting zoo in the parking lot of the Orschelen’s Store on 7^th Street in Atlantic this Saturday.

Irlbeck says one area 4-H has been focusing on recently, pertains to STEM. She says for the upcoming year, they plan on offering many great opportunities for youth in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – STEM. They’re also activities designed to expand on communication, citizenship, healthy lifestyles, leadership, and other important skills.

To find out more about the 4-H program in Cass County, contact the Cass County Extension and Outreach Office at 712-243-1132.