LYNN — The city of Lynn has been awarded a $10,000 “Healthy Babies” grant, which will be used to bolster its Central Square Farmers Market with a focus on improving the health of pregnant women and young children.
Lynn was one of 10 cities awarded grant funding through the Healthy Babies Bright Futures (HBBF) and the Mayors Innovation Project.
Grant recipients were chosen based on proposals that outlined how communities would use the grant and local funding to support systemic change, by responding specifically to needs heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Mayor Thomas M. McGee’s office.
“Our city is committed to addressing health and food insecurities among our most vulnerable residents,” said McGee in a statement. “This program focuses on the well-being of our children as we work to provide more equitable access to healthy food choices for children and families in the city of Lynn.”
In partnership with The Food Project and the Lynn Community Health Center, the city of Lynn plans to use the grant funding to strengthen the Central Square Farmers Market operation with certain changes that will benefit pregnant women and women with children under the age of 10, according to the mayor’s office.
For example, produce costs will be subsidized for families that include women who meet that criteria, the market’s hours of operation will increase by one hour, and a “Farm Stand to Doorstep” delivery system will be implemented, according to the mayor’s office.
In addition, a pilot program for “Food Hubs,” will be implemented at both the Farmers Market and certain food distribution sites at the Lynn Public Schools.
The hubs will provide information on children’s nutrition, SNAP/HIP/WIC enrollment, referrals to the Lynn Community Health Center, and provide advice and resources for gardening in lead-contaminated soil, according to the mayor’s office.
“Response to COVID-19 required significant behavioral changes and adaptations and many will continue to have an influence in the future,” said Kyra Naumoff Shields, HBBF Bright Cities Program Director.
“It helps us see that, particularly in a time of crisis, people can change their behavior for a positive community impact. Lynn’s planned work will dramatically improve the health of the babies in their city.”
The city has not only been hit hard by COVID-19, but it has high areas of need, as outlined in their proposal, Naumoff Shields said.
According to the city’s proposal, 17 percent of Lynn residents live in poverty and 58 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunches.
The city’s farmers market is located near many low socioeconomic status (SES) neighborhoods, including the Highlands area that is contaminated with lead, according to the proposal, which also notes that low-income neighborhoods in Lynn are far away from grocery stores.
Seventy percent of farmers market customers use their SNAP/HIP benefits and qualify for WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children, according to the proposal, which notes that increasing the capabilities of the market will help reach those vulnerable families.
“I am beyond excited about this opportunity,” said Lynn Public Health Director Michele Desmarais. “It is important for the public health division to address the food insecurities faced by Lynn residents, especially the children of Lynn.”
One in six children in America has a developmental disability, and one in 45 has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research indicates that early life exposures to neurotoxic chemicals from drinking water, food, air, soil and consumer products, can contribute to autism, IQ loss and cause developmental delays, according to the mayor’s office.
“By addressing the social and physical determinants of health through access to healthy foods, lead abatement, and more, city leaders can play a major role in addressing children’s health disparities,” said Katya Spear, co-managing director of the Mayors Innovation Project.
