The Latin American Restaurants in Action (LARiA) Project is a community-based initiative that aims to collaborate with Latin restaurants to develop innovative strategies to improve community health and boost revenue and visibility. The project utilizes a design-thinking framework and a multidisciplinary approach by engaging in dialogue with restaurant owners, staff, and other experts, then working with selected restaurants to co-design strategies to shape food environments that promote delicious, nutritious Latin dishes. Through these efforts, the project explores how interventions can mutually benefit businesses and community health, which is vital for informing public health policies and practices. The LARiA Project is funded by the National Institutes of Health and builds on extensive community-based research led by the project director, Dr. Melissa Fuster.”
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