Folic acid awareness
The Spina Bifida Association of Arizona (SBAAZ) is dedicated to preventing Spina Bifida and thanks to a grant from the March of Dimes, the SBAAZ is set to be the leader in this effort.
Folic Acid and Spina Bifida Awareness and Culinary Training Program
On average 95 babies per year are born with neural tube defects (NTDs) in Arizona and about 48 or more cases are related to the lack of folic acid. Additionally, Latinas have a risk 1.5 to 3 times higher than non-Hispanic white females of having a baby affected by these birth defects; recent research has shown that the consumption of multivitamins with Folic Acid 400 mcg complemented by a folate rich diet at least three months before pregnancy and during reduces the incidence of neural tube defect affected pregnancies by 60-80%.
The SBAAZ program which spearheads this effort is the Folic Acid and Spina Bifida Awareness and Culinary Training (FSACT) program which is currently managed by Maricela Espinar. The mission of the FSACT program is to reduce neural tube defect birth outcomes in Latinas, and upon future expansion of the program, we would aim to reduce neural tube defect birth outcomes in all Valley females of child-bearing age.
The program consists of three components. The first component is a classroom training session which emphasizes the importance of folate rich diets and folic acid vitamins, as well as neural tube defects. The second component is a culinary training session conducted by celebrity chefs, executive chefs, and student chefs at various locations. The last component will provide participants with an opportunity to submit their folate-rich recipes and photos in an upcoming cookbook.
Want more information?
If you would like to support or participate in the FSACT program and fall in one the categories below:
- High school student(s) interested in participating
- Chef offering in-kind donation of culinary expertise
- Culinary school offering your facility for class and kitchen space
- Community or civic organization interested in partnering
- Corporation offering in-kind donation of products for program usage
then please contact: folNoicacid@MoresbaaSpamz.org or 602.274.3323.
Press release: Spina Bifida Association Announces New Folic Acid Education Program
