San Felipe Pueblo Mobile Grocery launched by NB3 Foundation

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Based on current trends, health experts predict one out of two Native American children will develop type 2 diabetes. Obesity-the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes-is as high as 50-60 percent among Native American children in tribal communities like San Felipe Pueblo and elsewhere across the country.

“We are facing a massive public health crisis that is impacting all American children - and Native American children are affected more than any other population in the United States. Native American children as young as 4 years old are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If we do not intervene now we are facing the reality that this will be the first generation of Native American children to not outlive their parents,”

stated Echo Hawk.

MoGro

MoGro is a cornerstone partner in the NB3 Foundation's 2 year initiative at San Felipe. MoGro's vision is the elimination of food deserts in New Mexico and that communities have access to healthy, affordable, and sustainably sourced foods. MoGro was envisioned in 2010 by Rick and Beth Schneiders. Mr. Schneiders is the retired chairman and CEO of food distributor, Sysco Corp.

MoGro will not only serve San Felipe Pueblo but also Santo Domingo, Cochiti and Jemez Pueblos two times a week. When looking toward the future, Rick and Beth Schneiders see a MoGro model that could eventually be &334;franchised" to other communities.

“We'd like to reach a more holistic model that positively affects health outcomes in communities through fitness, access to healthy food, and things like farmer's workshops,”

explained Rick Schneiders.

“It's been hard work so far but it is also very rewarding.”

San Felipe Pueblo's Vision for Health

The San Felipe Pueblo Governor Anthony Ortiz was also present at the Tuesday launch.

“MoGro has brought attention and concern for the health of our community members,”

the Governor stated after taking a trip through the truck and helping his wife pick out some groceries. The Governor expressed his approval over the convenience of MoGro since many members of the San Felipe Pueblo struggle to make the 30 mile round trip to Bernalillo for groceries.

Governor Ortiz and the San Felipe Pueblo Tribal Council are taking concerns over the health of their tribal members seriously and recently passed a tribal resolution in May to support the introduction of major initiatives like MoGro and NB3 Foundation programming to promote physical activity, nutrition education and ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of these interventions on community health.

“MoGro is a good project to bring healthy food that our community members deserve… we hoped this day would come and here it is, it's a reality. I hope it to be a great success,”

stated Governor Ortiz.

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posted June 22, 2012 7:20 am edt