Farm-Fresh Local Foods
GOAL: To increase the availability of fresh, local fruits and vegetables for children and families while supporting rural and urban economies, and in some cases, providing a space for neighbors to socialize.
1. Support Farmers’ Markets
The Issues and the Research: Improving the availability and accessibility of farmers’ markets is another strategy to increase fresh, healthy food options for children and families. At least two studies have demonstrated that the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs for elders and the may lead to improvements in fruit and vegetable intake for their target populations.1,2
Potential Stakeholders
Policy-makers
State and local elected and appointed officials
Other Government and Community Stakeholders
Parks and recreation officials
County and city health officials
Local farmers/farmers’ market organizers
Community members
Policy and Program Options
Food policy councils
State and local policy-makers can pass a resolution for a or task force that advances healthy food options and includes farmers’ markets.
Administration of farmers’ markets
A city-run farmers’ market can provide benefits to the community and revenue to local governments. Local policy-makers can develop an ordinance that outlines rules and regulations that govern the market. Local governments can also dedicate staff people to manage the markets and/or they can develop a local farmers’ market commission and/or advisory board.
Financial incentives to market operators
Local and state policy-makers can support underserved communities and local farmers by providing incentives, grants and subsidies to create farmers’ markets in certain areas. Local government officials can also support farmers’ markets by aiding in their development and promotion.
Coupons and lower-income incentives
Local and state governments can encourage farmers’ markets to accept WIC and benefits. For example, governments can provide subsidies to farmers’ markets to accept electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards from SNAP. Local policy-makers can encourage market managers to offer residents in lower-income areas products that are affordable by providing financial support to farmers’ market operators at the outset. Market managers can then agree to lower vendor fees to farmers so they can offer lower prices.
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2. Support Community Gardens
The Issues and the Research: An increasing number of community gardens have
been established on vacant lots in inner cities. In fact, more than 10,000 community
gardens already exist in the United States, according to the American Community
Gardening Association, with New York City having the most of any city.3 In addition to
increasing residents’ access to fresh produce, community gardens provide residents with
environmental education, green space and significant savings on their food.4 For example,
community gardeners in Philadelphia reported an annual savings on food bills of $700
per family.5
Potential Stakeholders
Policy-makers
State and local elected and appointed officials
Other Government and Community Stakeholders
Parks and recreation officials
County and city health officials
Land-use planning and economic development committees
Community-based organizations and national programs such as the American Community Gardening Association
Community members
Policy and Program Options
Food policy councils
State and local policy-makers can pass a resolution for a or task force that advances healthy food options and includes community gardens.
Conversion of blighted areas to community gardens
Local governments can convert neglected areas into green spaces that can be used for community gardens or provide community garden grants and support. A community garden provides green space in urban areas and encourages food production by providing gardeners a place to grow vegetables, fruits and flowers.
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3. Support the Procurement of Locally Grown Food
The Issues and the Research: It is not a coincidence that childhood obesity rates
in the United States increased at the same time the food environment experienced
profound changes. In fact, it is estimated that more than one-third of calories consumed
by Americans come from junk food.6 Perhaps an even more thought-provoking fact is
that agricultural, distribution and retail practices may be drivers of our overconsumption.
Policy-makers have an opportunity to rethink how food procurement impacts production
and consumption. In many communities, particularly lower-income neighborhoods, it
can be very difficult to find foods that are not low-nutrient and energy dense. Policies that
increase local sources of food will provide consumers with healthier choices, farmers with
more marketing opportunities and communities with powerful economic development
opportunities.7
Potential Stakeholders
Policy-makers
State and local elected and appointed officials
School officials (e.g., state boards of education, local school boards
and school administrators)
Other Government and Community Stakeholders
County and city health officials
Local businesses (e.g., restaurants and supermarkets)
Local farmers
Policy and Program Options
Food policy council
State and local policy-makers can pass a resolution for a or task force that advances healthy food options and includes .
Procurement policies
State and local officials can encourage school and government procurement policies that favor local, healthy foods in government-supported facilities, schools, cafeterias, etc. The resolution can also support small farms and direct farm-to-institution relationships.
Financial incentives to support local food procurement
State and local officials can support farm-to-cafeteria opportunities, farmers’ markets and other regional food initiatives, and provide processing and distribution financial assistance to regional produce farmers.
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1 Johnson D, Beaudoin S, Smith L, et al. “Increasing Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Homebound Elders: The Seattle Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Pilot Program.” Preventing Chronic Disease, 1(1): A03, January 2004.
2 Anderson J, Bybee D, Brown R, et al. “5 A Day Fruit and Vegetable Intervention Improves Consumption in a Low Income Population.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 101(2): 195-202, February 2001.
3 Washington K. “Who is Raising Food in Cities? From Backyard Gardeners to Commercial Growers.” Portland, OR: Community Food Security Coalition, February 2002. Available at www.foodsecurity.org/urbanag.html#IV.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 Block G. “Foods Contributing to Energy Intake in the US: Data from NHANES III and NHANES 1999-2000.” Journal of Food Chemistry and Analysis, 17: 439-447, June 2004.
7 Food Without Thought: How U.S. Farm Policy Contributes to Obesity. Minneapolis, MN: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, November 2006. Available at www.isn.ethz.ch/isn/Digital-Library/Publications/Detail/?ots591=0C54E3B3-1E9C-BE1E-2C24-A6A8C7060233&lng=en&id=47634 .
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