MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

Itality: Plant-based Wellness

One-line solution summary:

To provide underserved, rural communities with access to healthy, organic, fresh food options.

Pitch your solution.

My community is 54 miles roundtrip to the nearest grocery store. within 4 miles of us is 2 gas stations and a dollar store. there are no healthy food options in my community .

My solution is to be that option for people. To provide culturally relevant healthy food options in native communities. I just purchased a food trailer because I see it as the quickest and cheapest way for me to attain a certified kitchen. This will specifically allow me to set up rural places, reservations and native events. I plan on converting the electric to solar power.

Eating to live and having access to health food could mean life or death to many. This solution not only will be an inspiration towards health in native spaces. if scaled to other communities it would create and support a culture of health and wellbeing. it would normalize healing and growth

What specific problem are you solving?

I am working to solve problems of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, childhood obesity and anything diet related.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among native populations. Native populations are 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes than other populations.

Native adults are 50% more likely to have obesity than non-Hispanic white adults.

Living in a food desert is a major contributing factor. Access to health foods, lack of knowledge about new foods and preparation techniques. Lack of education around nutrition and no access to a nutritionist until it may be too late or dire. A big contributing factor is the quality of the ingredients that we are cooking with too. This leads us to the lack of resources, income and perhaps even transportation. These are problems that people in rural places may face.

What is your solution?

My solution is too build up my food trailer and travel to different reservations for different events and post up and be that change. I provide health food options, sugar free, dairy free, and cholesterol free food that matters to people in need. I provide food that is medicine, vibrant, fresh and healing.

This allows me to be a traveling teacher and educator. Because of the lack of new and healthy foods in Indian country, each moment with each individual ends up becoming a teaching moment. I offer samples and in turn, education. I am able to provide people with my contact information and stay in touch. This always leads to new opportunities for wellness in Indian country. and this I how I plan to spread the wellness through indigenous networks.

This same method has already provided me with exposure and interest for the movement. When people know better they do better. People just need to know.

Strong preference will be given to Native-led solutions that directly benefit and are located within the Indigenous communities. Which community(s) does your solution benefit?

I am serving my community of Jemez Pueblo and surrounding pueblo communities.

They are elders wanting to preserve their health and teachings.

they are youth that are facing childhood obesity

they are expecting mothers who are high risk

and our men/hunters who are facing heart disease.

I am an active community member and I see how we celebrate and feast and see solutions within all of that. I see ways that we could make changes for the good. I see old traditions that no longer serve us. I have taken some of our most beloved foods and have came up with recipes and ways of cooking that won't be so harmful to us. I share these techniques and recipes in hopes that others will find benefit and wellness.

My solution is to educate and show up with the example. Benefit others by allowing them to see the possibility and also by giving them the chance to try something new and to tech them how to prepare it for themselves.

Which dimension of the Fellowship does your solution most closely address?

Provide healthy and sovereign food, sustainable energy, and safe water

Explain how the problem, your solution, and your solution’s target population relate to the Fellowship and your selected dimension.

The problem is the diet related health disparities.

Solution is to show up with a food trailer and provide that access to healthy food for people and a reasonable cost or no cost at all in some cases.

Most native communities/ reservations are located in rural places that are health food deserts where there is that lack of access to fresh healthy food. These are the places that I want to serve.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Jemez Pueblo, NM, USA

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Pilot: An organization deploying a tested product, service, or business model in at least one community

Who is the primary delegate for your solution?

Tina Archuleta

Please indicate the tribal affiliation of your primary delegate.

Jemez Pueblo

Is your primary delegate a member of the community in which your project is based?

Yes