In the Mid Valley, where Latino and Asian American communities form the cultural backbone of cities like El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, and Rosemead, summer gatherings often revolve around food. From backyard barbecues to family picnics, these cultural summer dishes are more than meals—they’re expressions of identity. But with diabetes disproportionately affecting Latino populations and rising in Asian communities, local health advocates are working to make traditional dishes healthier without losing their cultural roots.

El Monte Union High School District and El Monte City School District support community education programs that integrate nutrition and wellness into daily learning.

Community Health Starts With the Plate

In El Monte and Baldwin Park, where over 70% of residents identify as Latino, traditional summer foods like carne asada and aguas frescas are centerpieces of family events. Local programs are offering healthier versions to help prevent diabetes. The Baldwin Park Community Health Center and the Greater El Monte Community Hospital provide bilingual workshops that demonstrate how to prepare dishes with lean meats, reduced sugar, and more fiber.

Community-led cooking classes showcase how to swap out high-sodium seasonings for fresh herbs and citrus, and replace sugary drinks with naturally flavored water. These sessions align with broader initiatives like Champions for Change, which target nutritional health in high-risk areas.

Cultural Summer Dishes in Asian Communities

Rosemead and South El Monte, with significant Chinese and Vietnamese populations, emphasize fresh herbs, seafood, and rice-based dishes. But even these meals can carry hidden health risks like high sodium or refined carbs. Local organizations, including the Asian Pacific Health Care Venture and Rosemead Parks and Recreation, host nutrition events that teach residents to modify cultural summer dishes while maintaining authenticity.

Workshops encourage alternatives like whole grain noodles in cold salads or using low-sodium fish sauce. Emphasis is placed on balancing plates with vegetables, healthy fats, and plant-based proteins. These changes help reduce diabetes risk while honoring tradition.

Community Events Support Education

Health education often reaches residents through public events. In Baldwin Park, the Mental Health Awareness Run/Walk/Bike includes vendor booths promoting healthy food choices. In Rosemead, the Summer Health Fair at Garvey Community Center features live demos on preparing cultural summer dishes in healthier ways.

The South El Monte Community Center regularly hosts family-focused events where wellness professionals partner with local cooks. Children participate in hands-on nutrition activities, and families receive bilingual recipe cards that reinforce food traditions while supporting better health outcomes.

Fighting Diabetes With Cultural Summer Dishes

Community institutions are at the forefront of combating diabetes with culturally relevant strategies. Faith groups, like those involved with LA Voice, and service clubs, such as the El Monte/South El Monte Rotary Club, incorporate healthy cooking into their outreach efforts. Their events highlight how cultural summer dishes can preserve flavor and heritage while promoting community wellness.

By working with trusted civic organizations, these cities ensure that nutrition education is local, relatable, and respectful. This inclusive approach creates lasting change by encouraging residents to make healthier choices together—at potlucks, picnics, and every meal in between.

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