Food desert-busting is one of the cross-over opportunities between planning and public health, but it's unclear how effective bringing healthy foods to underserved neighborhoods has been.

Mac McCann writes an op-ed in response to a story from earlier in July about a $3 million program designed to attract grocery stores to Southern Dallas.
The problem, according to McCann's argument, is a lack of evidence that the program will work. "The government has tried over and over again to address the problems of food deserts — without much to show for it," explains McCann. In fact ""Food store access, particularly as measured by proximity, has a limited impact on food choices," according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture study published in May 2016.
On another line of argument, McCann notes that the city of Dallas "approved a $3 million grant for Costco — which made $2.38 billion in profit in 2015 — to build a store in northern Dallas." To McCann, the results of these investments don't justify their expense—especially when the city has so many other pressing issues to address.
FULL STORY: Subsidizing grocery stores won't make Dallas healthier

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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