Transcript Closing the Grocery Gap in Maryland

Closing the Grocery Gap in
Maryland
Maryland Governor’s Housing
Conference
Eugene Kim, The Food Trust
October 16, 2012
The Food Trust
Working to ensure
that everyone has
access to
affordable,
nutritious food
The Food Trust
• Founded in 1992
• 5 Program Areas:
o Farmers’ Markets
o School Nutrition
Education
o Healthy Corner
Stores Initiative
o Farm to School
o Supermarket,
Grocery Store, and
Healthy Food Retail
Development
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The alternatives in many places
The Food Trust
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1985
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1991
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 1997
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
≥20%
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2001
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
≥25%
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2005
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
25%–29%
≥30%
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2010
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
No Data
<10%
10%–14%
15%–19%
20%–24%
25%–29%
≥30%
Supermarket access is a public health and
economic development issue
Key Findings-• Access is a challenge
many low-income
Americans.
• Better access corresponds
with better health.
• Investment in healthy food
retailing creates jobs.
Philadelphia: Areas of Greatest Need
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing
Initiative
 Public-private
partnership
 $120 million financing
program that provides
grants and loans to
supermarkets and
grocery stores
Public-Private Partnership Model
Accomplishes public health and
economic development goals

88 Projects

5,000+ jobs
1.6 million square feet
of retail

$165 million total project
investment

“Top 15 Innovations in American Government” – Harvard University’s Kennedy
School of Government, 2009
Momentum Building Nationwide

New York

New Orleans

New Jersey

Illinois

California
Healthy Food Financing Initiative
I. Executive Action
 Federal government’s 1st ever coordinated step to eliminate food
deserts
 Interagency initiative including grants, tax credits and technical
assistance
 FY 2011: $45 million awarded through Treasury and HHS
 FY 2012: $32 million awarded through Treasury and HHS
 FY2013 budget request: $285 million through Treasury ($25 million),
HHS ($10 million), and a $250 million set-aside within $7 billion NMTC
program
II. Legislative Action
 2012 Farm Bill: Would establish HFFI within USDA
HFFI Assistance
For CDFIs
 Financial Assistance
Financing Healthy Food Options Training
Workshops
For CDEs


New Markets Tax Credits
For CDCs
 Financial Assistance
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HFFI Triple Bottom Line
Developing
 Revitalizes neighborhoods
 Leverages private capital
 Increases local taxes
Economic Stimulus
Quality Food
Markets in
 Creates jobs with career
paths for local residents
Jobs
Underserved
Communities
 Promotes a healthier diet
which can reduce rates of
diabetes & obesity
Health
The Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Campaign – Diverse Support
Partial List of National Supporters
American Heart Association
American Public Health Association
Children’s Defense Fund
Community Food Security Coalition
Food Research and Action Center
Food Marketing Institute
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
NAACP
National Grocers Association
National WIC Association
Opportunity Finance Network
United Fresh Produce Association
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The Healthy Food Financing Initiative
Advocacy Campaign
 The Food Trust, The Reinvestment Fund & PolicyLink
 More than 90 organizational supporters
 Stay informed and get involved: www.policylink.org
The Food Trust
Areas of Need in Maryland
Mapping Data Sources:

Supermarket Sales:


Population and Income:


Trade Dimensions Retail
Database, 2009
ACS 2005-2009
Diet-related Death:

The Maryland Dept. of
Health and Mental Hygiene,
2008 (select ICD-10 codes)
Maryland Supermarkets
www.TheFoodTrust.org
Low Sales and Low Income
Areas of Greatest Need
Maryland Fresh Food Retail Task Force
Identify the need
Examine the
barriers
Develop policy
recommendations
Public Health and
Nutrition Leaders
Supermarket
Industry Leaders
Children’s Advocates
Grocery Access
Task Force
Community and
Economic Development
Leaders
Government Officials
Business and Civic
Leaders
Barriers to Supermarket Development



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Development & Operating Costs
Financing
SNAP Distribution
Workforce
Transportation
Financing
Security
Land Assembly and Use
Recommendation #2 – Healthy Food Financing

Develop or expand a flexible business financing
program of grants and loans to support the
development, renovation, or expansion of stores
that carry or would want to carry healthy foods in
underserved communities.
Recommendation #7 – SNAP Distribution

A new distribution schedule should be developed
that disburses SNAP benefits more evenly
throughout the month and over a longer period of
time.
Next Steps

Final Report from Task Force

Advocacy & Implementation Working Groups
Proposed Working Groups
Healthy Food
Financing
SNAP and WIC
enrollment and
SNAP Distribution
Schedule
Others?
Working together to ensure access to
affordable, nutritious food.
Thank you!
Learn more:
Visit us online: www.thefoodtrust.org
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Follow us on Twitter: @thefoodtrust