What do healthy foodways have to do with violence prevention?

Research (some of which is compiled at this web-page) shows that a nutrient-rich, fresh healthy diet helps to prevent aggressive and violent behavior.  

The fresh fruits and vegetables in the photo on this page are part of the meals that we serve in our Peacemaker Programs.  

Our holistic approach to community education & community healing for violence prevention integrates a variety of values and practices to uplift peacemaking for youth & families in East Baltimore. 

Serving fresh, nutritious food at every community gathering is foundational to the impact of our work at the Baltimore Wisdom Project.   

If community members' basic needs are not met (food security; affordable, safe, housing; well-paid employment; great healthcare; caring engagement from authorities like city agencies & the police), then they, understandably, often have trouble managing their emotions and their behavior.  

Our whole-community, holistic foodways include the following:  

☑️ One filling, nutrient-rich meal at every gathering of each of our programs that adheres to former First Lady Michelle Obama's MyPlate initiative emphasizing a balanced diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, proteins, & grains with lots of filtered, drinkable water.  

☑️ Community participation in the preparing & serving of the meals so we're culturally sensitive to youth & families' wants & needs & so they co-own & are empowered by the foodways experience.  

☑️ Home-made, in-house food-making (yes, our staff makes all meals ourselves each day in collaboration with community members).  

☑️ Low-sodium & low-sugar ingredients emphasizing a minimum of processed products.  

☑️ A rigorous attention to food safety & disease prevention--gloves, masking (if applicable), washing & cleaning as we make & serve, & close attention to safe food disposal & storage.  

Our movement-organizing and community-building for violence prevention demands immersive, family-centered services.   

We are embedded deep in the community of our enrollees, and this approach to foodways is part of our high impact.   

We are changing the culture for peacemaking in the lives of the remarkable East Baltimorean youth, adults, and families enrolled in our programs.