A Health Food Desert

Compton is a health food desert. We have plenty of fast food chains but options for healthy food are scarce. Adult obesity rates are 51 percent higher for African Americans than whites, and 21 percent higher for Latinos, which are the primary residents of our city. In fact, Compton has the highest percentage of adult obesity in all of LA County (39%). We, like hundreds of neighborhoods across the country, find that nutritious, affordable, and high quality food is out of reach. Chrystal and Teresa, both twenty-four year old single mothers, are perfect examples of the difficulties in Compton. Chrystal was recently diagnosed with a fatty liver condition, and Teresa experienced a heart attack. Both have horrible diets and struggle with weight issues. Chrystal told us, “The doctor says I need to eat better and lose weight, but I don't know how.” This, unfortunately, is typical.

As part of our Business as Mission strategy this community organic garden will provide much needed jobs and and education that will impact our community health. We will hire a number of local young adults that have completed our Leadership Development classes and are being mentored by caring, trained mentors. We will sell the fruits and vegetables directly from the garden but also lease some garden beds to community residents for their own usage.


Additional facts:

• Nationally, low-income zip codes have 30 percent more convenience stores 
(which tend to lack healthy items) than middle-income zip codes.

• The typical diet of our youth and young adults are purchased from 
convenience stores (often soda and Hot Cheetos).

• Through a simple community garden we can help touch hundreds 
of peoples lives through healthy food, education and employment.

“I have never done anything like that before”

Recently, Jesse went with me to go fishing (Craig) but would never participate in our small City Church of Compton with his kids. That was six months ago and now Jesse attends regularly with his whole family.  Recently at our Easter outreach event the entire family participated.

In anticipation of that Glorious day, many of us gathered together and planned to go into the surrounding neighborhood streets and pass out flyers of invitation for Easter. As we were walking down the street I noticed burnout skid marks at one intersection and asked Jesse if he had ever done anything like that before. The answer I got was amazing. He had not been looking at the skid marks that I saw.  Instead, he said, “No, I have never left my house to pass out flyers for a church before today!” There was a joy in his voice as he spoke.

Easter came and Jesse volunteered to welcome people onto our church campus. He and his family are now attending our mid-week gatherings and Sunday services regularly.

Jesse welcoming people at the Easter service.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mt 19:26b)

-Craig 

The Newest Endeavor: A Community Organic Garden

We have begun a partnership to create a community organic garden here in Compton. This projects will allow us to create a few jobs for young adults as well as promote health in our community – both we are really excited about!

This was one of those “God working” unplanned things that He has directed us into! He open amazing doors through:

• We answered a Craigslist ad to use an overgrown-vacant lot for free, as long as it becomes an organic garden.

• One of our team member’s pastor's wife happens to be getting a PhD degree in church leadership with a focus on community gardening!  She needs to create a community garden and is now our main partner!

• This idea fits into our plans to create jobs via local micro businesses.

• We hosted our first work day to clean-up the lot and had very positive reception from the community. We even met some potential community board members!

• A church next to the lot has a strong children's ministry and a director who’s very community development-minded. She’s been praying about growing her own vegetables. She’s offered to partner with us, share her facilities, and get her youth involved!

The vacant lot before the transformation began!

Bob giving guidance to garden volunteers on the initial workday.

Stay tuned for more details and stories soon!

-Mike