Dallas County health officials flag worsening food insecurity, outline gardens, mobile market and SNAP outreach

Dallas County Health and Human Services officials briefed the Workforce, Education and Equity Committee on April 14 about the current status of food insecurity in Dallas County and county-led programs intended to expand access to healthy food, particularly for children and in neighborhoods with the highest need.

Dr. Philip Wong of Dallas County Health and Human Services told the committee that both overall and child food-insecurity rates in Dallas County exceed U.S. averages and that Black and Hispanic residents experience higher food-insecurity rates than white non-Hispanic residents. He described food insecurity as a social determinant of health that is associated with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Wong outlined a three-part strategic approach the county is using: increase access to nutritious food in high-risk ZIP codes, bolster local production through urban agriculture and orchards, and provide education and workforce training connected to food production and nutrition. He said county-led or county-supported programs include community gardens, an urban mini-orchard initiative, a farm-to-school program, infrastructure grants for…