In 2012, a Fresno State study led by Dr. John Capitman found that residents living in Southwest Fresno live roughly twenty years less than those in wealthier parts of the city. The issues contributing to this disparity are complex, multi-faceted, and interconnected. Two of these factors, environmental hazards and limited access to nutritious foods, have produced exceptionally poor health conditions for residents of this neighborhood.

Southwest Fresno families must travel outside of the community to access quality produce. This required travel contributes to Southwest Fresno being one of the unhealthiest air quality regions in the Fresno metropolitan area. A lack of access to healthy, readily-available food contributes to significant and detrimental health effects such as obesity, diabetes, asthma, and autoimmune disorders.

Southwest Holistic Health Project

Through the Southwest Holistic Health Project, Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) is working to address these issues.

The Southwest Holistic Health Project’s objective is to improve the overall health and well-being of residents by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through local, quality food options. Providing further access points to healthy fruits and vegetables will allow residents to travel by vehicle less, thus reducing the carbon footprint and increasing the life expectancy of residents in Southwest Fresno. The project involves two key components: 1) the development of community gardens and 2) education on food insecurity and healthy eating. ENP has received a $75,000 grant through the  Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program to carry out a demonstration program which will launch the Southwest Holistic Health Project.

Fresno Garden Tool Box

The Southwest Holistic Health Project will provide residents with access to local, fresh food through a Fresno Garden Tool Box. The Fresno Garden Tool Box includes the reactivation of community gardens and the development of new ones. 

King Elementary School is one of the first schools in Southwest Fresno committed to building garden boxes, teaching kids about healthy living throughout the process. 

King Elementary School has been a critical community ally with ENP on urban gardening efforts. Parents with King Voices, the school’s parent-led campus advocacy group, has shared with ENP not only their desire for improved access to healthy foods, but the desire for their children to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and eat more healthy foods. King Elementary Principal Summer Gaston-Gehris launched a pilot gardening program two years ago and is eager to partner with ENP to see this initiative mature to full development.

Education & Local Partnerships

ENP is also partnering with local farmers, gardeners, and chefs to conduct food demonstrations and educational workshops for Southwest Fresno residents. This education will include instruction on how to grow organic foods that promote healthy air quality and the distribution of materials on healthy eating for children at after school programs.

Additionally, ENP is working with the Fresno Metro Ministry, Yo’Ville Community Garden, Fresno County Department of Public Health, Fresno County Food Council, Fresno Housing Authority, Our Voice Project, community centers, and local clubs to carry out further education, outreach and potentially activate new community garden sites.

Our primary partners are the residents of Southwest Fresno–  the experts of their community. Integrating residents into the execution of this project will result in a broader acceptance in neighborhoods of the healthy living concepts that underpin our project. As residents lead the way, we expect to see more homes, apartments complexes, and schools join in educating on how to grow an ecosystem of equitable access to healthy food and take steps toward improved air quality.

Get Involved

ENP’s vision is to see our city holistically engaged so our schools are supported, children excel, families are healthy and whole, and our communities thrive. The Southwest Holistic Health Project is an initiative under ENP’s Neighborhood Development and Health and Wellness programs and will play an important role in carrying out ENP’s vision. 

Stay up to date on this project and other ENP activities by signing up for our email updates HERE. For information on doing volunteer work in Southwest Fresno, email Daniel Dominguez at daniel@everyneighborhood.org.

Together, we can see our city flourish.