The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund recently announced it is committing $15 million over the next five years to bring healthier food options to New York City residents. There is a large effort right now to address the problem of 'food deserts,' urban communities that don't have easy access to healthy and fresh foods such as produce and meats. 

"The issues are complex, and there's no magic bullet," said Laurie Tisch, president of the Illumination Fund, when discussing the launch of the Healthy Food & Community Change initiative and commitment. "But there are strategies that have demonstrated progress and promise. We believe that the way to move forward is to empower and engage communities, foster collaboration and provide the tools to implement change."

Along with the new program, which will develop strategies to get better foods into these communities, the funding will establish a new center at Columbia University among other community-based and public/private partnerships. The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy at Teachers College, Columbia University, will train the next generation of nutrition professionals through research and policy work. 

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