Integrated food systems planning is a cornerstone of efforts to create healthy and sustainable communities across America. Kimberley Hodgson summarizes recent research conducted by the APA that evaluates which communities are leading the way.
Access to food is a basic human right, and a critical aspect of building a sustainable healthy community. However a recent APA study has revealed that "only 105 jurisdictions in the U.S. explicitly address an aspect of local or regional food systems in their comprehensive plans or sustainability plans,"
In an effort to spotlight those communities that have taken, "important steps to connect local food system–related issues to economic, social, and ecological goals," recent APA research has focused on identifying which communities are leading the way in food systems planning and the ways in which their work can inform the many cities who will follow their trailblazing path.
According to research conducted by APA's Planning and Community Health Research Center, "The top five highest-scoring plans included Marin County, California's comprehensive plan; Philadelphia's sustainability plan; San Francisco's sustainability plan; Sacramento's comprehensive plan; and Baltimore's sustainability plan."
"All of these plans included explicit goals and policies to improve food access equity within the context of the larger community food system, but also addressed how to implement each food-related policy outlined in the plan and how to monitor and track progress in achieving the plan's food goals."
In her summary of the research, Hodgson shares the 10 main steps a local government can take to effectively plan for healthier, more sustainable local and regional food systems.
This summer, APA will publish a policy report to share the complete results of the study.
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