Objective

Low-income people, people with disabilities, and people of color are more vulnerable to food insecurity, and their neighborhoods often lack grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other access points for healthy, affordable food; this is referred to as “food deserts” or “food apartheid.” In addition, the shift toward incentivizing personal vehicles within our transportation system has had a direct impact on community design that often under prioritizes food access. Access to locally grown food can reduce the costs and environmental impacts associated with transporting food over long distances, and make systems less vulnerable to extreme weather events.

Are you ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to cultivate and consume healthy, affordable food? Are local foods accessible to everyone in grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and community gardens?

Examples of Data Needed for Equitable Strategy Development (Qualitative and Quantitative)

• Have you identified and mapped food deserts in your community, i.e., neighborhoods without adequate access to grocery stores or markets?
• Have you worked with the school district to determine if school lunch debt is an issue for families?
• Refer to: USDA
• EPA’s EJ Screening Tool: under ‘Critical Service Gaps’

Examples of Equity-Based Municipal Strategies

Access:

• Promote access to local produce through farmers’ markets, community gardens, and co-ops in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Eliminate food deserts by citing grocery stores and/or food co-ops in historically marginalized neighborhoods.
• Streamline permitting process for community pantries and community fridges; Public health should cooperate with and assist community groups who want to operate fridges.

School Programs:

• Support farm-to-school efforts that increase access to fresh produce for school children
• Eliminate school lunch debt for public school students

Responsible Local Agency or Department

• Planning & Community Development
• Extension
• Public Health
• School District