Action steps to increase access to healthy food in the community include:
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Communities should improve geographic availability of supermarkets via a variety of strategies such as incentives, relaxing zoning requirements, and/or small business programs.
People cannot consume a healthy diet unless healthy foods are available, affordable, and convenient. Research suggests that neighborhood residents who have better access to supermarkets and grocery stores tend to have healthier diets and lower levels of obesity. Unfortunately, many communities across the U.S. lack access to healthy food options. Communities without supermarkets should explore incentives such as grants and loan programs, small business development programs and tax incentives that encourage grocery stores to locate in underserved areas. Localities and local zoning boards can also relax zoning requirements that make it difficult for supermarkets to move into densely populated urban areas and rural communities, provide parking subsidies and implement policies that encourage that recently closed grocery stores can be replaced by another one as quickly as possible.
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Encourage farmers' markets, farm stands, mobile markets, community gardens, and youth-focused gardens in your community by offering incentives and/or modified land use policies/zoning regulations.
Improving the availability and accessibility of farmers markets is another strategy to increase fresh, healthy food options for children and families. Research suggests that promoting farmers' markets can increase fruit and vegetable intake. In addition, community gardens and garden-based nutrition intervention programs may also have the potential to promote increased fruit and vegetable intake and may increase willingness to taste fruits and vegetables among children and youth.
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Encourage farmers' markets to accept WIC and SNAP.
Encouraging farmers' markets to accept Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) would facilitate the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by low-income families. Local governments could provide subsidies to farmers' markets that accept the SNAP electronic benefit cards or communities can work with market managers to lower vendor fees so vendors can offer lower priced items.
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Create incentive programs for markets and other food vendors to carry healthier foods.
Create incentive programs to enable current small food store owners in underserved areas to carry healthier, affordable food items (e.g., grants or loans to purchase refrigeration equipment to store fruits, vegetables, and fat-free/low-fat dairy; free publicity; a city awards program; or linkages to wholesale distributors).
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Increase availability of healthy food in public venues.
Establish strong nutrition standards for foods and beverages for all publicly operated cafeterias, vending options, and community events.
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Enhance accessibility to existing grocery stores through public safety efforts and through increased public transportation routes.
In communities where either safety or access issues are barriers explore strategies to improve safety and transportation access. For example, improve public safety around food vendors such as better outdoor lighting and police patrolling. Consider realigning bus routes or provide other transportation, such as mobile community vans or shuttles to ensure that residents can access supermarkets or grocery stores easily and affordably through public transportation.
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