Sweet Balance & CareLink
Community Health, Food Access, and Caregiver Support
A scalable model for improving food deserts and care deserts in U.S. neighborhoods
The Challenge We're Addressing
Millions of Americans live in communities without access to healthy food or adequate caregiving support
Source: USDA Economic Research Service Food Access Research Atlas
People living in food deserts
Of Birmingham's population affected
Life expectancy gap in affected communities
Target communities for initial implementation
Meet the Founder
Nicole Bjornsen
Nicole founded Sweet Balance & CareLink after caring for her grandmother from Ukraine. Managing her grandmother's diabetes while honoring cultural food traditions revealed the critical need for culturally grounded health support and caregiver networks.
Today, she's building a nationwide model that combines health education, caregiver support, and policy advocacy to transform communities facing food and care deserts.
How CareLink Works
Our three-pillar approach addresses both food access and caregiver support
Culturally Familiar Education
Health literacy programs that respect and incorporate community food traditions, making diabetes management accessible and relevant.
Caregiver Networks
Connect family caregivers with resources, peer support, and training to reduce stress and improve care quality.
Advocacy for Fair Standards
Push for policy changes that recognize caregiving labor and ensure fair working conditions for community health workers.
Featured Cities
Target communities facing severe food and care desert challenges
Birmingham, Alabama
One of the highest food desert concentrations in the nation, with significant health disparities in Black communities.
Chicago, Illinois
Massive grocery store closures have left entire neighborhoods without fresh food access.
Detroit, Michigan
Decades of disinvestment have created severe food insecurity and health challenges.
Fresno, California
Despite agricultural abundance, urban communities face significant food access barriers.
Join Us in Building Healthier Communities
Whether you're a policymaker, healthcare provider, researcher, or community member, there's a role for you in this initiative.