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Small culinary businesses have faced significant challenges and hardships due to the pandemic, including burnout, financial constraints, and a sense of isolation. In response to these struggles, the Feed the Soul Foundation, a national non-profit organization, has been providing financial relief and solutions to marginalized culinary businesses. Through their Restaurant Business Development Grant Program, the foundation has awarded $850,000 in support to 30 culinary business owners, empowering them to overcome obstacles and thrive in a competitive industry.

Financial and Professional Support:
With the support of the Grubhub Community Fund and Stella Artois, Feed the Soul Foundation’s 2023 grant program has provided each of the selected restaurant owners with $25,000. The program aims to address the challenges faced by these businesses, such as slim profit margins, labor shortages, inflation, and rising minimum wages. The six-month cohort program offers a range of supports, including financial literacy training, marketing and advertising guidance, and one-on-one business development consultations with industry experts. By equipping these entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and resources, the foundation aims to foster their growth and success.

The Role of Feed the Soul Foundation:
Under the leadership of Executive Director Juana Collins, a seasoned nonprofit executive, Feed the Soul Foundation is dedicated to nourishing and empowering individuals through culinary education and entrepreneurship. With a commitment to making a profound difference in lives and legacies, the foundation offers critical support to culinary businesses, acting as a vital resource for their sustainability and growth.

Creating a Supportive Network:
The importance of establishing a robust support network becomes evident when comparing the success rates of businesses that have received Feed the Soul Foundation’s support with the national average. Over 98% of the businesses that received financial and business development assistance from the foundation are still operating and have experienced growth within their operations. This success demonstrates the significance of providing both financial backing and expert guidance to culinary businesses, fostering a community of support and collaboration.

Milestones and Achievements:
Since its inception in 2020, Feed the Soul Foundation has achieved significant milestones in supporting marginalized culinary businesses. These include:

• Investing $1,078,000 in financial and business development support to 59 culinary businesses across the nation.
• Providing $46,000 in emergency funds through the Emergency Relief Fund to assist culinary businesses affected by unforeseen damages and natural disasters.
• Establishing an internship program and distributing $59,000 in student stipends while providing workforce training to 15 minority college students studying small business marketing, marketing research, and public relations.

Recognizing Culinary Excellence:
The foundation’s 2023 grant program has recognized and supported a diverse range of culinary businesses. The awarded cohort includes establishments such as 7th & Grove, Andes Café, Bueno Dias Café & La Bodega at The Met, Haire’s Gulf Shrimp, Pepitos Paletas, The Urban Oyster, and many more. These businesses represent the resilience and creativity of the culinary community and highlight the foundation’s commitment to fostering growth and sustainability within the industry.

Future Opportunities:
Feed the Soul Foundation will continue to provide support and resources to marginalized culinary businesses. In October, they will open applications for the 2024 Restaurant Business Development Grant Program, offering entrepreneurs another chance to receive financial assistance and expert guidance. Furthermore, the foundation has scheduled a Global Culinary Conference in Houston, Texas, in January 2024, aiming to foster growth and collaboration within the culinary community.

The Feed the Soul Foundation’s Restaurant Business Development Grant Program has been instrumental in providing financial relief and professional support to marginalized culinary businesses. By equipping entrepreneurs with the necessary resources and guidance, the foundation empowers them to overcome challenges and thrive in a competitive industry. Through their continued efforts, Feed the Soul Foundation is making a lasting impact on the lives and legacies of culinary entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable growth within the culinary community.

About Feed the Soul Foundation
Feed the Soul Foundation was established in 2020 to aid marginalized entrepreneurs in the culinary industry with business development resources and support to foster sustainable business growth. The Restaurant Business Development Fund supports marginalized business owners with business development scholarships and emergency funding. 

SOURCE Feed the Soul Foundation

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/feed-the-soul-foundation-provides-850k-of-support-to-culinary-businesses-through-restaurant-business-development-grant-program-301999576.html

https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage/

(Family Features) Lo que usted come y bebe, así como su nivel de actividad y sus hábitos, afectan la salud de su corazón y cerebro y son esenciales para controlar la presión arterial, el colesterol y más. La presión arterial alta (lecturas consistentemente superiores a 130/80 mm Hg) es una de las principales causas y un factor de riesgo controlable de enfermedades cardíacas y ataques o derrames cerebrales, así como de otros problemas como insuficiencia renal, pérdida de visión y problemas sexuales.

De hecho, casi la mitad de todos los adultos estadounidenses tienen presión arterial alta (hipertensión), según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, pero es posible que muchos ni siquiera se den cuenta de que la tienen a menos que experimenten otras complicaciones. Es más, el origen étnico también puede influir en sus factores de riesgo.

Por ejemplo, según la American Heart Association (Asociación Americana del Corazón), los adultos hispanos tienen una de las prevalencias más altas de presión arterial mal controlada, que es uno de los principales factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardíaca. Debido a barreras sistémicas de larga data, como la falta histórica de acceso a la atención de la salud y alimentos nutritivos, la comunidad hispana y latina se ve afectada de manera desproporcionada por enfermedades cardíacas y problemas de salud relacionados.

Las mujeres negras en edad fértil tienen más del doble de probabilidades de tener presión arterial descontrolada que las blancas, según una investigación presentada en una edición especial Go Red for Women del “Journal of the American Heart Association”. Además, la inseguridad alimentaria o la falta de acceso a alimentos saludables adecuados, que es uno de los factores sociales que pueden afectar el riesgo de presión arterial alta, es mayor entre las mujeres hispanas y negras en comparación con las mujeres blancas.

Para ayudar a mantener la presión arterial por debajo de 120/80 mm Hg y controlar los factores de riesgo, la American Heart Association, con el apoyo nacional de Elevance Health Foundation, recomienda estos cambios en el estilo de vida.

Mantener un peso saludable. Si tiene sobrepeso o es obeso, tiene un mayor riesgo de sufrir presión arterial alta. Perder tan solo 10 libras (o entre el 3 y el 5 % de su peso corporal) puede brindar beneficios para la salud, incluida la reducción o prevención de la presión arterial alta. Hable con su proveedor de cuidados de salud sobre un enfoque saludable para perder peso, incluida la ingesta calórica y las actividades que pueden ayudar tanto a perder como a mantener el peso.

Comer más saludable. Comer frutas y verduras, como mangos, aguacates y arándanos, puede reducir la presión arterial con el tiempo. Otras opciones inteligentes incluyen nueces y semillas, cereales integrales, lácteos bajos en grasa, proteínas magras y pescado. El plan de alimentaciónEnfoques dietéticos para detener la hipertensión (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) o DASH, está orientado a reducir la presión arterial y ayuda a crear un estilo de alimentación saludable para el corazón.

Reducir el sodio. Los estadounidenses consumen hasta el 75 % de su sodio de alimentos procesados como sopas, salsa de tomate, condimentos y productos enlatados. Para reducir el consumo, lea las etiquetas cuando compre y elija versiones bajas en sodio de sus comidas favoritas, omita la sal de mesa y considere especias y hierbas como alternativas de condimento.

Controlar el estrés. Se sabe que el estrés contribuye a los factores de riesgo de presión arterial alta, como la mala alimentación y el consumo excesivo de alcohol. Practicar técnicas de relajación, como el yoga o la respiración profunda, practicar la gratitud y hacer cosas que disfrute, pueden ayudar a reducir el estrés.

Estar activo. La actividad física no solo ayuda a controlar la presión arterial alta, sino que también ayuda a controlar el peso, fortalece el corazón y reduce los niveles de estrés. La American Heart Association recomienda al menos 150 minutos por semana de actividad física de intensidad moderada, como caminar a paso ligero.

Limitar el alcohol. Beber demasiado alcohol puede aumentar la presión arterial. Si bebe, limite su consumo a no más de dos tragos por día para los hombres y un trago por día para las mujeres.

Dejar de fumar. Cada vez que fuma, provoca un aumento temporal de la presión arterial. Tanto fumar como exponerse al humo del tabaco ajeno también aumentan el riesgo de acumulación de placa dentro de las arterias, un proceso que se sabe que acelera la hipertensión.

Encuentre más consejos para controlar su presión arterial en Heart.org/highbloodpressure.

Fotos cortesía de Getty Images

SOURCE:
American Heart Association

In a powerful display of solidarity and determination, music legend Al B. Sure! and global civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton have come together to announce the formation of the “Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition.” This coalition aims to oppose the recent Medicare cutbacks for transplant patient blood tests that detect early signs of organ rejection, particularly affecting minority and underserved communities. With their shared commitment to justice and equality, Al B! will serve as the Executive Chairman, while Rev. Sharpton will play a vital role as the Senior Advisor.

The Impact of Medicare Coverage Restrictions:
On March 2, 2023, a private contractor known as a “Medicare Administrative Contractor” (MAC) announced restrictions on Medicare coverage for transplant patient blood tests. These tests, essential for detecting early signs of organ rejection, have been instrumental in safeguarding the health of transplant patients since 2017. However, the sudden change linking coverage to invasive surgical biopsies has caused confusion, delays, and cancellations, primarily affecting Black, Hispanic, Latino, and underserved transplant communities.

The Voice of Al B!:
As a successful organ transplant recipient and advocate for the transplant patient community, Al B! understands the importance of these blood tests firsthand. Having received a life-saving liver transplant in 2022, he emphasizes the need for accessible and non-invasive blood tests that can be conducted at home. Al B! believes that tying Medicare coverage to invasive biopsies places an undue burden on underserved transplant recipients, necessitating expensive travel, time off work for patients and caregivers, and hospital procedures.

The Support of Rev. Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich:
Rev. Al Sharpton, renowned for his tireless work in defending the rights of minority communities, welcomes the support of former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich in restoring Medicare coverage for surveillance blood tests. Their alignment, along with a broad bipartisan group of transplant patients, physicians, and members of Congress, highlights the urgent need to reverse these detrimental rollbacks. Rev. Sharpton emphasizes that these non-invasive tests provided a lifeline to Black, Hispanic, Latino, and underserved communities, and it is essential to expand access to better tools, not restrict them.

Addressing Disparities in Transplant Care:
Transplant care plays a critical role in the lives of Black, Hispanic, and Latino Americans, who account for 40% of transplants in the United States, exceeding their representation in the general population. The battle against organ rejection is a daily struggle, with half of all kidney transplants failing within ten years. The issue is further compounded by the severe organ shortage, disproportionately affecting these communities. Approximately 50% of individuals on the transplant waiting list are Black or Hispanic/Latino, highlighting the urgent need for equitable post-transplant care and access to transplantation.

Broad Support and National Attention:
The coalition led by Al B! and Rev. Sharpton has garnered widespread support from transplant patients and the medical community. Leading national professional transplant medical associations, including the American Society of Transplant Surgeons and the American Society of Transplantation, have expressed opposition to the Medicare coverage restrictions. Additionally, a bipartisan group of representatives in Congress, along with grassroots transplant patient group “Honor the Gift coalition,” have raised concerns and demanded answers from CMS regarding the rollbacks.

Looking Ahead:
Al B! and Rev. Sharpton express hope that the House Congressional Black Caucus and other influential bodies will join their efforts to restore Medicare coverage for these vital blood tests. To amplify their cause, hundreds of transplant recipients will gather in Washington, D.C., from December 4-6 for a series of activities, including meetings with congressional leaders and a press conference. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all transplant recipients, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, have access to the necessary tools and care for a healthier future.

The formation of the “Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition” led by Al B. Sure! and Rev. Al Sharpton marks a significant step toward addressing the disparities faced by minority and underserved communities in transplant care. By opposing the Medicare cutbacks for transplant patient blood tests, this coalition strives to ensure that all transplant recipients have access to early detection of organ rejection, regardless of their background. Through their collective efforts, they aim to build a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system for all.

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transplant-recipient–music-legend-al-b-sure–global-civil-rights-leader-rev-al-sharpton-announce-new-health-equity-in-transplantation-coalition-to-oppose-medicare-cutbacks-for-transplant-patient-blood-tests-to-detect-early-301999281.html

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/