Tulsa Organizations Address Food Insecurity as a Community Health Issue
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, various organizations, including Ascension St. John and RG Foods, are collaborating to tackle food insecurity by recognizing it as a critical community health issue. This initiative moves beyond traditional healthcare settings, focusing on providing consistent access to nutritious food to prevent and manage chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. The Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma estimates that approximately one in seven Tulsa County residents, and nearly one in five children, experience food insecurity. This doesn't solely mean a lack of food but also includes inconsistent access to healthy options or having to prioritize other expenses over groceries. RG Foods, which started as a mobile grocery store, has expanded to permanent locations, including the Grocery Box inside the Phoenix at 36N housing development, aiming to integrate food access directly into communities. Ascension St. John has invested over $75 million in north Tulsa over the past five years, partnering ...
