EL CHICANo Weekly
Vol 62, NO. 38
July 10, 2025
32 Inland Empire Food Deserts Threaten Families’ Health, LLUCH Pediatrician Calls for Systemic Change By Manny Sandoval
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Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital pediatrician is sounding the alarm on food access inequality in the Inland Empire, warning that policies, pricing, and geography are working in tandem to trap lowincome families in a cycle of poor nutrition and worsening health outcomes.
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“There are 32 food deserts in San Bernardino County alone,” said Dr. Gabrielle Pina on Inland Insight, the Inland Empire Community News podcast. “Twenty-seven of them are majority Latino. And in places like Victorville, the nearest grocery store might be four miles away—not far by car, but a major obstacle if you're a one-car household relying on public transportation or walking.”
California’s Only Free Parent & Youth Helpline Faces Shutdown After $3M Budget Cut Pg. 4
PHOTO ANUAR FLORES (Left to right) IECN Publisher Denise Berver, LLUCH Pediatric Hospitalist Dr. Gabrielle Pina, and IECN Publisher Manny Sandoval at the IMA Podcasting Studio on June 26, 2025.
Summer EBT Program Now Available to Families
Pina, a pediatric hospitalist at Loma Linda University Children’s Health and lifelong Inland Empire resident, defines food deserts using the USDA standard: low-income commu-
nities where residents live more than one mile from access to affordable, fresh fruits and vegetables. “Some families are spending up to 40% of their income on food—and that’s by federal definition of affordability,” said Pina. “If you’re earning less than 185% of the federal poverty line, which is about $48,000 a year, and you live in California, that’s not sustainable.” Junk Food Replaces Nutrition Dr. Pina described how families in food deserts are forced to prioritize calories over nutrients. “A cheeseburger is $1. A bag of grapes or a head of lettuce? Often three times as much. The system is failing families, and the result is soaring rates of childhood obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes—even in elementary school-aged children.” She added that mental health issues are deeply connected to food insecurity and diet. “A Food Deserts cont. on next pg.
Grammy Winner IZ Avila Launches Transformative Youth Music Program at Fontana’s Stage Red
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PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren and Grammy Award Winner IZ Avila hyping up The Boys & Girls Club crowd at the “All Hands on Decks” program at Stage Red.
By Manny Sandoval
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n July 8, Grammy Award winner IZ Avila launched his inaugural “All Hands On Decks” program at Stage Red, guiding Boys & Girls Club members through an immersive crash course in music, production, and careerbuilding skills. The Rialto native designed the workshop
PHOTO MANNY SANDOVAL A Boys & Girls Club member focused on blending songs together and applying effects on July 8th.
around four core rotations. “One rotation is the DJ aspect — learning to blend songs and apply effects,” Avila said. “Another group focuses on stage presence, staying in tune with the audience and speaking to them. A third group is working on lighting and audio programming. The last group is learning show logistics — greeting guests and making sure everything runs smoothly.”
Avila added, “The program is comprehensive. It teaches kids all areas of production.” Students will return for a second session as on-stage talent — running audio and stage services — and later, in phase three, learn invoicing and financial skills. “They’re learning business, financial literAll Hands on Decks Cont. on next pg.