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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Briana Black, Executive Director and Lead Educator of Leave It Better Foundation
10:46:09
ยท
3 min
Briana Black, representing the Leave It Better Foundation, testifies about the importance of food and nutrition education for students in New York City, particularly those in food deserts. She urges the city council to renew funding for the Food Education Hub and allocate additional funds for expanding their coalition's reach.
- The foundation provides hands-on food education programs to over 500 students across NYC, focusing on gardening, composting, and nutrition.
- Black emphasizes that proper nutrition is essential for academic success and overall well-being of students.
- She requests $250,000 for the Food Education Hub and $100,000 for expanding their coalition to serve more schools across NYC.
Briana Black
10:46:09
And members of the city council education committee, Thank you for your time today.
10:46:14
My name is Brianna Black and I am the educator and executive director of the leave it better foundation.
10:46:21
Our nonprofit provides food and nutrition education to students across New York City through programs centered around gardening, composting, harvesting, and DIY snacks.
10:46:33
I'm here not only as a representative of my nonprofit, but also as a voice for the students that we serve across the city.
10:46:43
One of the hands on activities that we do with the students is make parfaits.
10:46:48
At the start of this activity, I asked each class at different schools across the Bronx about the food options available around them.
10:46:56
Unsurprisingly, most responses include fast food restaurants and maybe a bodega that might sell a fresh salad.
10:47:05
The lack of knowledge about food and food deserts and nutrition education is something that noticed repeatedly at the three schools where I work.
10:47:15
Many of the students live in food deserts but don't even know it.
10:47:19
When unhealthy options are the norm, it is hard to recognize what is missing.
10:47:25
In communities like these where access to affordable healthy food is limited, these disparities only grow.
10:47:34
Thanks to your funding and the support of the Tisch Center through the Food Education Hub at Columbia University, we've been able to provide essential food and nutrition programming to over 500 students across New York City.
10:47:47
Nutrition is the foundation of education.
10:47:50
Without it, students cannot thrive.
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Academic success starts with proper nutrition.
10:47:57
This is why we urge the city council to renew funding of $250,000 for the food education hub.
10:48:04
This will enable vulnerable communities, including students from low income and housing insecure households to access to essential food and nutrition education.
10:48:15
Allocate a hundred thousand dollars for intentional framework.
10:48:19
This will help grow the coalition, allowing more organizations like ours to serve schools across New York City.
10:48:27
Good nutrition is a foundation of a healthy life.
10:48:31
By expanding our reach to more students, we lay the groundwork for healthier communities.
10:48:37
As a proper nutrition education empowers individuals to make informed choices that benefit not only themselves but everyone else around them.
10:48:48
At leave it better, we believe that providing children with access to healthy foods and nutrition education is essential to their well-being.
10:48:56
By supporting such programs, we ensure that we do not deprive our children the opportunity to make informed healthy choices, empowering them to lead better lives and in turn leave the world better for others.
10:49:10
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I appreciate you guys rocking with us for the whole night.