Monday Morning Report
 
 

First5la.org

 

To submit comments,
or to suggest items for this newsletter or First5LA.org, contact Katie Kurutz, public affairs officer, at kkurutz@first5la.org
or (213) 482-5902.


  Calendar

Click events below to view full listings.
  Advanced Behavioral Healthcare Learning November 13, 2007 from 9:30am - 12:00pm
 

NEXUS XII Training Conference November 14, 2007 from 7:00am - 5:15pm

  18th Annual Legislative Forum November 16, 2007 from 7:30am - 10:00am
  Annual Latino Health Fair November 18, 2007 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
  First Annual Ho Ho Holiday Health Fair December 15, 2007
  6th Annual African American Mental Health Conference February 28, 2008
   
   
   
   
 
   

November 12 , 2007
 
 
News and Announcements
 
     
 
Rand Logo
RAND's California Preschool Study: First Two Volumes Released
Parents and providers have long had a hunch: Children who start Kindergarten behind, remain behind as they continue in school. Now that hunch has been supported by ... More »
 
 
 
Harvest Festival Pic
First 5 LA Honored at Hathaway - Sycamore's Harvest Festival
It's always nice to be thanked, and First 5 LA got to experience a true and formal thank you at the beginning of this month from Los Angeles City Council Member Jose Huizar at ... More »
 
 
 
Mcdonalds Interior
Long Beach Family Literacy Program Partners with McDonald's
In addition to the month of November's designation as Child Literacy Month by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, November 1st marked ... More »
   
  Policy Pick
   
 
No Smoking Sign
Multi-Unit Housing: Smoke-Free Movement's Final Frontier
Thanks to a new law smokers in California soon will no longer be able to lawfully light up in their vehicles if a child is present. But child advocates ... More »
   
 

Evie's Desk

 
Evelyn MartinezFresh & Easy in Los Angeles

In Los Angeles County, it's a well-known fact that low-income neighborhoods frequently lack an adequate number of grocery stores, something that forces residents to travel longer distances to buy food. Those same neighborhoods have a plentiful supply of fast food restaurants, adding to our growing obesity problem. Because of this, I have been encouraged to see that several new "Fresh & Easy" supermarkets will be springing up in some local underserved communities.

The "Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market" chain is a British import spearheaded by leading retailer Tesco, also the third-largest food retailer in the world. Tesco's goal is to open six Fresh & Easy grocery stores in Southern California, Phoenix, and Las Vegas by the end of this month, with up to 100 expected to open within a year.

L.A. County cities slated to receive a Fresh & Easy include Glassell Park, Lakewood, La Mirada, Covina, and Simi Valley, among others. Tesco has promised to continue to open stores in underserved areas, although none have been planned for the most in need, including South L.A. and Compton.

What is encouraging is that this new neighborhood store is committed to providing customers with fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices. They're also showing a commitment to the environment by keeping down waste and using LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) technology.

It is my hope that the chain will hold true to its promise and continue to open in traditionally underserved areas. Having accessible fresh fruits and vegetables is the key to good health and imperative in the fight against childhood obesity.

  Links
   
    1.   Funding Opportunities at First 5 LA
    2.   The ABC's of Advocacy
    3.   New "Get Involved" page offers ideas for outreach
    4.   Monday Morning Report Past Issues