eNEWS
July 2009 > Food deserts focus of recent USDA study, FOG begins work studying access in Gainesville
The USDA Economic Research Service released a report June 25 entitled Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food — Measuring and Understanding Food Deserts and Their Consequences: Report to Congress. Food deserts have been described as places with little to no access to healthy foods, requiring residents to seek nutrition from fast food restaurants, convenience stores, etc. The report noted that nearly 6 percent of all households experience food access-related problems.
FOG is embarking on a Community Food Planning Project, with support from a USDA Commuity Food Planning Grant, that will look at food access in Gainesville, Fla., among other issues. The one-year planning project will include an inclusive and collaborative planning process to discuss how aspects of Gainesville’s local food system could be developed and improved. The first step in the project will involve surveys that will attempt to discern the food insecurity in various areas of Gainesville, and what community members feel should be done to improve food security and access. Public meetings in the fall will gather many stakeholders for further discussion of Gainesville's food system needs before working groups come together to form a Local Food Action Plan.
The planning project comes at a time when a groundswell seems to be forming behind the idea of community food security. Maximizing local food production and
processing was a major issue addressed
by the Alachua County Energy
Conservation Strategies Commission in
their recent report to the Alachua County
Board of County Commissioners. Food access was one focus of a recent Hunger Abatement Plan released by the Alachua County Poverty Reduction Department at the Hunger Summitt II June 3. June also saw the launch of Gainesville Farm Fresh, a new Web site that will serve as a clearinghouse for local food resources.
“We believe this planning project will
complement recent and upcoming
sustainability initiatives by city and
county officials and the effort of many
others already involved in the local food
system,” FOG Executive Director Marty Mesh said.“It is our hope that diverse members of
our community will take an interest in this
process so we discover everyone’s needs."
Through this planning grant and future
projects, FOG hopes to:
• Improve access for all community
members to an adequate,
affordable and nutritious diet.
• Develop better marketing
channels and processing facilities
that create more direct links
between farmers and consumers
and increase economic stability
for small and family farms.
• Increase public participation
in food and agriculture related
activities and policies.
• Create more opportunities for
better health, reduced risk of
diet-related chronic diseases and
increased enjoyment of locally produced
food among community
members.
It is FOG’s hope that with continued cooperation between the many local entities involved in our community food system, Gainesville and Alachua County’s vision for a sustainable community food system can begin to be realized. For more information about community food projects contact Florida Organic Growers at 352.377.6345 or email fog@foginfo.org.