A case study of suburban poverty and the programs needed to help residents through tough times.
Jessie Van Berkel reports on the persisting need for free meal programs in the suburbs of the Twin Cities region—despite the improving economy.
To illustrate the scope of the challenge Van Berkel cites the following statistics: "The number of children receiving free and reduced lunch last year had increased 35 percent, on average, in large suburban school districts since the height of the recession during the 2008-2009 school year, Minnesota Department of Education data show. Public schools in St. Paul and Minneapolis saw respective increases of 1 percent and 5 percent postrecession."
That comparison to schools in the region's inner cities ties to a larger point about the suburbanization of poverty, which is emerging as a trend in regions all over the country, including the Twin Cities. One of the challenges inherent to suburban poverty is how it can remind "out of sight and out of mind." Van Berkel quotes Anika Rychner, director of self-sufficiency at 360 Communities, a nonprofit primarily serving Dakota County, to explain how this dynamic plays out in suburban communities: "You could live in the community and never have to look at and acknowledge the need….Poverty doesn't look the same in the suburbs, but it's definitely here."
The article includes special attention to the efforts of Loaves and Fishes—a non-profit that has opened six new suburban dining site in the metro area in the past two years.
FULL STORY: Free meal program expands with the 'suburbanization of poverty'

Planetizen’s Top Planning Books of 2023
The world is changing, and planning with it.

Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side
The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.

How ‘Daylighting’ Intersections Can Save Lives
Eliminating visual obstructions can make intersections safer for all users.

San Jose Affordable Housing Development Gains Approval
A proposed project is moving forward with reduced building heights and all-affordable units.

Oklahoma City Begins Work on Parking-Protected Bike Lane
The project is part of the city’s broader plan to improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure and road safety.

How Cities Can Avoid Perpetuating Segregation
Residents of big cities, known as the ‘melting pots’ of America, have fewer interactions with people outside their socioeconomic group than those in smaller communities, according to new research.
City of Morganton
San Joaquin County
University of New Mexico - School of Architecture & Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.