Honoring the heritage of Asian & Pacific Americans

Honoring the heritage of Asian & Pacific Americans

May 14, 2024

This month, the Blueprint recognizes Asian American, Native Hawai’ian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. It’s a time to reflect upon and celebrate the many contributions of the AANHPI community – consisting of culturally and linguistically diverse people representing many countries and islands of origin – throughout our nation’s history. It’s also a time to recognize the many challenges that these communities have endured and continue to face today in Colorado and beyond, including access to nourishing and culturally relevant food.  

Today, there’s a large and diverse AANHPI community living across Colorado. And, food plays a central role in AANHPI cultures, not just as sustenance but as a vital part of cultural identity, community, and celebration.

As part of our recognition, we want to call out some of the connections to food justice:

• Cultural Preservation & Food Access: Food is a powerful medium for preserving culture and history. And, the Blueprint believes that food is a human right;  everyone should be able to access traditional and culturally relevant foods that nourish their minds and bodies.
  

• Economic & Health Disparities: Many AANHPI communities face economic disparities – due to discrimination, language barriers, limited access to education, and more –  that directly impact their ability to obtain healthy and culturally relevant foods. For example, many immigrant, refugee, and low-income families reside in areas known as food apartheids (or deserts), where there are limited options to access affordable and nutritious food. Here at the Blueprint, we believe addressing these inequities is necessary for improving overall health and well-being.
  

• Advocacy & Leadership: Leaders from AANHPI communities across the U.S. have been at the forefront of food justice movements, advocating for policies that support sustainable agriculture, equitable food distribution, and more. They have continuously emphasized the importance of community-based solutions and the need for systemic change to address the root causes of hunger, which aligns with the Blueprint’s values and vision.

Our team also has been diving into the Colorado Lotus Project, created by the Colorado AAPI Circle and Colorado Health Institute. It’s a new effort to uplift the unique voices and experiences of AANHPI people across the state. Their inaugural report covers income and economic opportunity, health, housing, and other issues that intersect with hunger and food access. It also demonstrates the need for better data and a more equitable allocation of resources. Find out more.