Marice Ashe, JD, MPHDirector

RMLUI 2010 | 3.5.10

Eat your greens!Planning policies to support healthy food systems

What do land use policies have to do with food systems?

market forces + public policy = “food landscape”

Source: California Center for Public Health Advocacy, “Searching For Healthy Food: The Food Landscape In California Cities and Counties”

CA’s Food Retail Environment

Source: CA Center for Public Health Advocacy, http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/searchingforhealthyfood.html

CA’s Food Retail Environment

Source: CA Center for Public Health Advocacy, http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/searchingforhealthyfood.html

CA’s Food Retail Environment

Source: CA Center for Public Health Advocacy, http://www.publichealthadvocacy.org/searchingforhealthyfood.html

Source: USDA Food Environment Atlas, http://maps.ers.usda.gov/FoodAtlas/

Percent of US households without a carand > 1 mile to a grocery store

Supermarket proximity is associated with a better diet.

Limited access to fast food for schoolchildren is associated with better diet.

Policy can reverse these statistics

Healthy Eating Research Brief 2008; Davis & Carpenter 2009; Active Living Research Brief 2007

“Promoting the concept of a

“foodshed” — a diversified,

regional food economy —

could be the key to improving the American diet. “

Creating Healthy Food System Policy

Lay the groundworkShare information and build partnerships

Lay the groundwork:Share information and build partnerships

Assess existing health conditionsCollect food system data and conduct environmental audits

Creating Healthy Food System Policy

Lay the groundworkShare information and build partnerships

Assess existing health conditionsCollect food system data and conduct environmental audits

Adopt policies Support local food system development

Creating Healthy Food System Policy

Lay the groundworkShare information and build partnerships

Assess existing health conditionsCollect food system data and conduct environmental audits

Adopt policies Support local food system development

Ensure that the plan’s goals are implemented- Develop indicators and standards- Update zoning and design guidelines- Use economic development tools as incentives - Implement healthy development review criteria

Creating Healthy Food System Policy

Step1Laying the Groundwor

k

Building relationships & Collaborative Partnerships

Photo courtesy of WALKSan Diego

2Assess

1Step

Measuring access to healthy

food

District of Columbia | Office of Planning

Walking Time to Large/Chain Grocer

3Adopt

21Step

Update Plans and PoliciesSupport access to and long-term tenure of land for local food system activities

Set standards and priorities for improving food access in underserved neighborhoods

“The Blueprint for Future Development”

Statement of development policies

Comprehensive

Plans

Types of healthy general plan policies, by location

Policy LanguageGood: Policy 1.0: Encourage the development of

community gardens to increase residents’ access to healthy foods

Better: Policy 1.1: Establish 1 community garden for every 2,500 households in an urban village and urban center (Seattle, WA)

POLICY 3.5.2 Promote healthy neighborhoods and community by encouraging neighborhood convenience stores to carry healthy food such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

WATSONVILLE, CA

Policy Language

POLICY 3.5.21 Condition neighborhood markets (convenience stores) at the time of development review to incorporate the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables.

WATSONVILLE, CA

Implementation

Condition neighborhood markets (convenience stores) at the time of development review to devote 10 percent of the store’s shelf space to the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables.

SAMPLE

Strengthen

implementation

Step 4Implement

21

Create a targeted grocery attraction and improvement strategy

Help with location and expansion, and streamlining fees and permitting processes, provide grants/loans

Outreach to small marketsOffer incentives and assistance: façade improvements; infrastructure; business planning, WIC/Food Stamp participation; link to distribution channels

Plan for urban agricultureZone for gardens as defined and allowed useComprehensive planning and redevelopment opportunitiesRequire developers to provide set-asides

Plan for farmers’ marketsZone for markets as defined and allowed use

Comprehensive planning and redevelopment opportunities

Streamline fees and permitting

Mobile VendingIncentivize healthy vending

Restrict unhealthy vending

Support small-scale entrepreneurs

Create a balanced food environment

Zoning can be used to restrict fast food outlets

Restrictions: Quotas, Density, Distance

Bans: Fast food/drive thru, “formula” restaurant

Resources

Fact Sheets Model Policies

www.phlpnet.org