PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tiffany Lee, Executive Director of Altagracia Faith and Justice Works, on Intro 641
2:13:37
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138 sec
Tiffany Lee, Executive Director of Altagracia Faith and Justice Works, testifies in support of Intro 641, which aims to improve nutrition standards for kids' meals at restaurants in New York City. She emphasizes the importance of addressing food justice and health disparities in black and Latino neighborhoods.
- Lee's organization runs a youth program that educates students about food access disparities and advocates for food justice.
- She highlights the correlation between fast food prevalence in certain neighborhoods and higher rates of diet-related diseases.
- Lee urges the passage of Intro 641 to make a difference for children and families in New York City and set an example for other cities.
Tiffany Lee
2:13:37
Okay.
2:13:39
Good afternoon.
2:13:40
My name is Tiffany Lee, and I'm here today to encourage your support of intro 641, which would improve nutrition standards for kids' meals at restaurants in New York City.
2:13:50
I'm executive director of Alta Gracia Faith and Justice Works, a nonprofit organization in Northern Manhattan dedicated to putting faith into action and promoting social justice.
2:14:00
We organize social justice ministry teams that address a variety of issues, including food justice.
2:14:06
We also run a youth service learning program called Global Thinking Local Action Universal Impact, or GLUE.
2:14:13
In this program, students serve in local soup kitchens, food pantries, and at the community fridge on 200 and fifth Street.
2:14:20
They also hear from guest speakers and participate in workshops about disparities in food access, learning tools to organize and advocate for food justice.
2:14:30
They learn about disparities in not only accessing any food, but accessing nutritious food that meets dietary standards, especially for developing children.
2:14:39
While the highly palatable, less nutritious food foods are very familiar to them, our students are often shocked to learn about the potential harm these foods and drinks can cause children as well as adults long term.
2:14:53
They are further shocked and outraged at the extent of these disparities and the correlation between the prevalence of fast food establishments in their neighborhood, foods that are often high in sodium, fat, and added sugars, and the greater incidence of diet related diseases, I e obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, etcetera, in these same black and Latino neighborhoods.
2:15:15
Teens and families in our city's fast paced environment are often pressed for time seeking quick, affordable, tasty options for their children and families, and it is difficult to find healthy options on the kid's menu.
2:15:26
Our youth leaders have been very active and vocal on this topic and would would have been here today if their class schedules allowed, but they will be submitting additional testimony in writing for your consideration.
2:15:37
In partnership with the Interfaith Public Health Network and the Center For Science in the Public Interest, other community based organizations, and inspired by the leadership of our youth, we urge you to pass intro 641 to make a difference for children and families in New York City and to be an example for other cities around the country.
2:15:54
Thank you.
