Successful Launch of the Food & Nutrition for All Collaborative During National Nutrition Month?

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA – Friday, March 22nd, 2024 marked a significant milestone in the fight against food and nutrition insecurity within Miami-Dade County with the successful launch of the Food & Nutrition for All Collaborative. In a powerful demonstration of community, collective impact, and commitment, local nonprofits, businesses, community members, and leaders in the food and health sectors came together under the initiative championed by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava . The event was held at Amara at Paraiso , to help showcase Rethink Food ’s and the The Genuine Hospitality Group ’s (Amara’s owners) innovative collaboration already having a positive impact to ensure that every Miami-Dade County resident has access to healthy and nutritious food. They received a recognition for the close to $1M in support for providing nutritious, culturally appropriate, cooked meals to folks in the Little Haiti community.? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

The collaborative’s launch highlighted many other partners and programs already making positive impacts throughout the county. The event was also aligned with National Nutrition Month?, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and collective action in addressing nutrition and health access challenges. Mayor Daniella Levine Cava delivered compelling opening remarks, highlighting the initiative’s goals and the critical role of community involvement and stakeholder collaboration in its success.

“My administration was proud to join partners from both the public and private sector as they work to end hunger and food insecurity in our County,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Thanks to the Miami-Dade Food & Nutrition for All Collaborative, we can bring more nutritious options to every dinner table and work to ensure that no one in our community goes to bed?hungry.” This powerful statement encapsulates the essence of the initiative and calls for a united effort to transform Miami-Dade County into a healthier community.

Event Highlights:

• Community Engagement: Attendees had the opportunity to connect with various stakeholders, fostering a network of support and collaboration for future endeavors.
• Opening Remarks: Mayor Daniella Levine Cava inspired the audience with her vision for a healthier Miami-Dade, emphasizing the collaborative’s role in achieving this goal.
• Collaborative Launch: The event celebrated the official beginning of this critical initiative, unveiling the core organizations leading the effort: Urban Health Partnerships , the American Heart Association , and Common Threads ; as well as the founding stakeholder leads: Nicklaus Children's Health System , American Healthy Weight Alliance, Healthy West Kendall | Baptist Health , and Rethink Food .
• Partner Attendance: The event had a significantly diverse and representative cross-section of food and health system change makers! We had representatives from the National Supermarket Association (NSA) ’s Florida Chapter, Feeding South Florida? , Farm Share , the University of Miami ’s Environmental Justice Clinic, Florida Organic Growers , the World Wildlife Fund Foundation, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences , Food Rescue US , Catalyst Miami , @Joshua’s House, Health Choice Network , Children's Home Society of Florida , Urban Green Works, the Urban Farming Institute , Teach the Truth, Touching Miami with Love , Healthy Little Havana , the Overtown Children And Youth Coalition , Healthy Little Havana , Nana’s Restart, and a number of Community Liaisons, Community Health Workers, and many more Community Leaders and Advocates!

The launch of the Food & Nutrition for All Collaborative is just the beginning. With the continued support of our community and partners, we are set to make significant strides toward a more nourished and healthier Miami-Dade County. Join us in our mission to nurture a healthier, more nourished Miami-Dade County!

Get Involved

• Collaborative and/or Media Inquiries: For more information, or to arrange follow-up interviews, please contact Arely B. Lozano Cantu, Director of Health Access and Livability, Urban Health Partnerships at 954-594-3509 or [email protected].
• Join the Food & Nutrition for All Collaborative: Complete the interest form and let's get connected! Click Here to Complete the Interest Form

From Left to Right: Pat Morris (MDC), Julie Katz (Nicklaus Children’s Hospital), Robert Hill Jr, MPH, PMP (American Heart Association), Leyanne Perez (American Healthy Weight Alliance), Cristina Brito, DHSc, MPH (Healthy West Kendall | Baptist Health), Arely B. Lozano Cantu (Urban Health Partnerships), and Joe Pinto (Rethink Food). [Not in the picture: Linda Novick O'Keefe (Common Threads)].