PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Shen'naque Sean Butler, Community Health Advocate from Fresh Healthy Food Initiative
2:52:43
·
3 min
Shen'naque Sean Butler, a community health advocate from the Fresh Healthy Food Initiative, testified about the importance of access to healthy food in the Bronx. He shared his personal motivation stemming from his mother's death and described his efforts to provide healthy food options in Bronx bodegas. Butler urged support for Introduction 641 to ensure children have access to healthy food options.
- Butler created the Fresh Healthy Food Initiative to provide plant-based meals in Bronx bodegas
- He plans to expand efforts to Hunts Point bodegas in 2025, partnering with various organizations
- As lead organizer for Banana Kelly's Community Improvement Association, Butler oversees health initiatives addressing social determinants of health
Shen'naque Sean Butler
2:52:43
12 is okay.
2:52:44
Alright.
2:52:47
Alright.
2:52:47
Here we go.
2:52:49
Imagine a community where every child has access to healthy food, where no one has to choose between a meal and their health.
2:52:55
In the Bronx, this vision is not yet a reality.
2:52:57
Thank you, chair Schuman, and members and staff of the council committee on health.
2:53:02
My name is Shonakwishon Butler, and I am a resident of the University High section of the Bronx in council district 14.
2:53:08
Today, I'm here wearing 2 hats.
2:53:10
First, as a long time community health advocate, I've set dedicated myself to increasing access to healthy food and educating young people around nutrition.
2:53:18
My journey began with a deeply personal experience, my mother's battle with cancer.
2:53:23
My mother, Joycelyn Butler, was a nurse who dedicated her life to caring for others.
2:53:27
Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer at age 57.
2:53:31
Witnessing her struggle and the lack of healthy food options in my community was heartbreaking.
2:53:36
This personal experience led to my me taking action and creating the Fresh Healthy Food Initiative, which aims to provide fresh, healthy grab and go plant based meals in Bronx bodegas.
2:53:46
My aim is to make the Bronx a healthier place, 1 bodega at a time.
2:53:50
Through grassroot community engagement, I have worked with community stakeholders, local bodegas to increase access to healthy, nutritious grab and go options at a price point that can compete against the ocean of cheap ultra processed foods that dominate Bronx bodegas.
2:54:05
The fresh initiative has already made meaningful difference in the lives of many Bronx residents by successfully demonstrating the feasibility and demand for healthy meal options in local bodegas.
2:54:16
This growing demand for healthier options shows the community's readiness for change and sets the stage for an even greater impact as we expand our efforts.
2:54:25
Looking ahead, I plan to partner with the Bodega and Small Business Group, Collective Fare, Bronx Health REACH, NYU Stern, and the New York Health Foundation to bring healthy grab and go options to, the Hunts Point to bodegas and Hunts Points in 2025.
2:54:41
2nd, I serve as the lead organizer of community health initiatives for Banana Kelly's Community Improvement Association, tackling the social determinants of health around in this role, I oversee the health initiatives.
2:54:53
I'm gonna, just jump to the end because I don't have enough time.
2:54:57
But, in conclusion in this role with, with, Fresh and, also working at Banana Kelly, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that dedicated community health efforts can be.
2:55:11
By supporting policies like intro 641, we can take significant steps towards ensuring that all children have access to healthy food options, thereby fostering a healthy future for our community.
2:55:24
I urge you to each to support intro 641 to today.
2:55:29
Let's ensure that, every child in our community has a healthy start that they deserve.
2:55:35
As the rapper from the hip hop supergroup, The Loxx, once said, Styles P, once said, you can't really get wealthy if you ain't healthy.
2:55:44
This quality this quote highlights the critical connection between health and overall well-being, making it a powerful reminder of why our work is important.
2:55:54
I urge you guys to support, intro 641.
2:55:57
Thank you for your time.
Lynn Schulman
2:55:58
Thank you very much.
