1. Youth Health Ambassadors Christina Hall Sprouting Justice empowering Santa Ana youth through food systems and nutrition education

2. The Background Story

3. Food Insecurity in the County Orange County ranks #2 in California for the number and percentage of food insecure adults. 52.4% of low-income households are food insecure 18.3% of these are considered to be in the category of very low food security

4. Food Related Health Impacts in Santa Ana 46.5% of youth are overweight or obese 70+% of adults are overweight or obese High levels of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease

5. Medical Services in Santa Ana The lowest rate of people covered by health insurance in the county Portions of the city are considered as both a Health Professionals Shortage Area and a Medically Underserved Population

6. Santa Ana Demographics The 4 th most densely populated city in the U.S. The largest population of youth in the county The average age is 36 Highest rates of violent crime and poverty in the county

7. Landscape of poverty poverty + food insecurity + lack of activities = social injustice

8. Empowerment Through Food and Fun

9. Youth Health Ambassadors A Program of TeenSpace at the Santa Ana Public Library 10 Week Summer Session 10 Month Regular Session

10. Summer Program Introductory Program Gardening Field Trips Service Projects

11. Health & Well-Being Food Access & Food System Nutrition & Healthy Eating Food Traditions Marketing & Messaging Social Justice Environmental Impacts of Food Ingredients Drugs and Alcohol

12. Putting it All Together Cooking Recipes Budgeting Grocery Shopping Farmers Market Family Meals

13. Sharing New Information Blogging Movies Health Fair Friends & Family

22. Any Questions? Christina Hall christina.hall@sproutingjustice.org