Communities in the Navajo Nation now will be able to use funds from the so-called junk food tax to create wellness projects.
The Budget and Finance committee passed the Healthy Diné policy to provide guidelines for development of wellness projects. This means all 110 Navajo chapters will gain access to the revenue generated by that 2 percent sales tax on sugary foods and beverages.
Community health advocate Denisa Livingston with the Diné Community Advocacy Alliance said individuals can propose projects like farmer’s markets, skate parks, food preparation classes - basically anything that promotes a healthy lifestyle.
“Now is an opportunity for them to initiate these projects and to have the opportunity to be a part of creating what they think they need in their communities,” Livingston said.
Livingston said there’s about $1.3 million chapters have access to.
While sugary foods are taxed, healthy foods like vegetables, fruit and traditional Native American food have no sales tax.