What proposal can one make and to whom to redress this disparity in quality of foods available?
Research has shown that one of the best ways to increase access to high-quality, organic foods is to bring new grocery chains and supermarkets into low-income and food-insecure neighborhoods. To successfully implement this method of redressing the disparity in health food access, investment dollars (whether from public and/or private sources) must be secured in order to support these social justice projects. As an example, the federal government's Healthy Food Financing Initiative is one such program; to date, it has provided more than $500 million dollars towards the building of health-conscious grocery stores in neighborhoods that may not ordinarily be able to support its more expensive products. Appropriation of tax dollars toward such initiatives can only work toward redressing existing disparities.
In this vein, our congressional leaders and politicians will have to be educated about the necessity of continual funding for such programs.
Above all else, the public itself must be educated about the challenges faced by low-income and food-insecure neighborhoods; education is key to increasing public support for such projects. Specifically, the public will welcome the knowledge that bringing new grocery chains such as Whole Foods Markets into poorer neighborhoods will increase the labor participation rate in those neighborhoods.
New stores will increase job opportunities for local residents and increase sales tax revenues, proportions of which can be used toward further educating poorer residents about the benefits of healthier, organic food and fresh produce. Research has shown that the dual benefits of providing fresh food access as well as education to change the perceptions of people regarding healthier food alternatives is indispensable to changing the existing paradigm.
The building of larger, new stores in disadvantaged areas is economically advantageous to all. These new stores can serve as anchors to draw in varied new business ventures and complementary stores to further drive economic growth in the areas in which they are located. Absent the building of larger stores, existing grocery stores supported by grants from the government, and/ or private sources can often bridge the gap between the wealthy and the poor in terms of food access. In this case, when local merchants are able to increase their stock of organic food and fresh produce, they become vehicles to secure the revitalization of the very communities they live in.
In addition to educating the public about public and private health initiatives, we will also need to publicize the work of non-profit organizations that work on behalf of disadvantaged neighborhoods. Again, education is key to increasing support and cooperation for such social justice projects. For example, San Francisco-based non-profit Literacy for Environmental Justice has a Good Neighbor Program, which has brought together local merchants, city governments, and community organizations for the purposes of improving low-income access to organic and healthy food. Food merchants or grocery stores which participate in the program can be assured of financial support, marketing and technical assistance, as well as access to energy-efficiency upgrades in their stores if they meet a list of criteria. For example, participating stores may agree to increase their stock of fresh produce and organic foods by a certain percentage, to limit the sale of cigarettes and alcohol, to adhere to local environmental standards, and to accept foods stamps in exchange for the above stated benefits. To date, the Good Neighbor Program has become a model for other similar, emerging programs in surrounding neighborhoods. Again, education is key, as well as crucial material support for such programs.
For more on policy ideas and community-based solutions to redress the disparity in health food access, please refer to the excellent links below.
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