Environmental Analysis​​​

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The Rio Grande Valley struggles with deep-rooted food insecurity and limited access to affordable, nutritious foods. Border-region poverty, high unemployment, and economic instability widen these gaps: in some counties, more than 30 % of families live below the poverty line, and convenience stores stocked with calorie-dense options far outnumber outlets for fresh produce.

 

The health toll is steep. In Cameron County, over  50% of adults are overweight or obese, and nearly one in three lives with diabetes—conditions that cost residents an estimated $12,000 each year in medical bills and lost productivity. Programs like SNAP, WIC, school-based meals, and local food banks provide critical support, yet complex enrollment steps, language barriers, and transportation hurdles keep many families from the resources they need.​