Galvanizing Baltimore Around Health and Healing Through Food
There has never been a more urgent moment for Baltimore to come together around health, wellness, and healing. Across Maryland, more than half of all adults live with at least one chronic condition. According to the American Diabetes Association, over 537,000 Marylanders—or 11.1% of the ADULT population—have diabetes, and nearly 40% Americans have prediabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Baltimore City, the story is even more sobering. The city’s mortality rate is 30% higher than the state’s, according to the Baltimore Health Department, and heart disease remains the leading cause of death (NIH), accounting for more than a quarter of all deaths. These numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent our families, friends, and faith communities.
That’s why the First Annual Healthy Dining Awareness Restaurant Week, presented by The Baltimore Times and Times Community Services, Inc. is not simply another event. It’s a movement—an invitation for all Baltimoreans to come to the table and reimagine what health looks like in our city. From November 1–9, 2025, restaurants, chefs, health professionals, and community leaders will join forces to make healthy dining visible, accessible, and culturally meaningful.
Food has always been central to how we celebrate, connect, and worship. As Michelle Petties, creator of “Mind Over Meals” and author of “Leaving Large – The Stories of a Food Addict,” reminds us, dining out isn’t the problem—our relationship with food is. “The secret to eating out the healthy way,” Petties says, “starts long before you ever step foot inside a restaurant. It begins in your head, your heart, and your home.” Her words resonate deeply in Baltimore, where food has long been a source of both comfort and community.
Healthy Dining Awareness Restaurant Week builds on this philosophy. It’s not about guilt or deprivation; it’s about empowerment and awareness. It encourages residents to use food as a tool, not a trap, to honor their health and to rediscover joy in nourishment and connection. Through inspired stories, healthy recipes, and faith-driven participation, the campaign aims to spark conversations about prevention, policy, and the structural inequities that continue to shape health outcomes in our city.
The state of Maryland has made strides through programs that support chronic disease prevention and management. Still, actual progress depends on collective action—neighbors helping neighbors and communities working hand in hand with local institutions. This is where the faith community, small businesses, and local leaders can make the greatest impact.
Healthy Dining Awareness Restaurant Week gives everyone a way to participate, whether by dining at a participating restaurant, sharing healthy recipes, or attending educational events. Every action moves Baltimore closer to a future where wellness is within reach for all.
We are at a crossroads. The time for awareness is now. By uniting under the banner of “Soul Food Around Our Table,” we can turn the simple act of eating into an expression of love, resilience, and purpose. Together, we can make Baltimore not only a city that eats well, but one that lives well.