So many exciting things are happening at Breastfeed Durham in October! Each year, Breastfeed Durham celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. Especially during this time, we celebrate the rich histories, cultural influences, and contributions of Hispanic/Latinx people in our community. We are also mindful of the systematic barriers that contribute to breastfeeding rates that fall below the national average and short of the Healthy People 2020 goals. With support, our hope is to help families meet their goals. 

While canvassing businesses one Friday, Bernadette Greene, Breastfeed Durham’s Executive Director, and volunteer Anne Berry MD, MPH, walked into Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant. They spoke to the manager, Guadalupe Torres, and shared with him information about all the ways Breastfeed Durham works to support Spanish-speaking families. The owner spoke strongly about his desire to support breastfeeding families and lactating employees. He is still working on setting up a lactation space, but servers are encouraged to bring in their babies as needed. At Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant, you will often see servers sitting at a booth feeding their little ones on their breaks. Amazing! But Guadalupe wants more. He wanted to become a part of the Breastfeed Durham movement. At one point, he invited Bernadette and Anne to eat lunch while he filled out the paperwork and help some other customers. Bernadette tells the story: “We thought we were just going to eat lunch…and pay for our food…and go…but no! When we finished eating our food and went to the checkout, the manager looked at us and insisted on paying for our food. The owner proudly signed the form and now breastfeeding is welcomed at his restaurant.” Thank you to Anne and Guadalupe for helping create First Food Equity in our community!