Week 11; Public Food and Public Policy

Many cities don't have a comprehensive food policy as it is traditionally thought of only being an "agri-food sector" concern. Recently, the food system has been given a second look through the lens of public welfare and health. Food policies have been initiated in many cities to try to tie together the wants and needs of farmers, communities and low-income people to feed everyone's needs. 

Public policy is the means to get things done and is most effective when grass-roots movement and local governments come together to work towards change. 

Toronto's Food Policy, enacted in the early 1990's, is a model for the world to learn by as it is very well funded and very well rooted in the community.

The Toronto Food Policy Council is successful through its of uses social outreach to get people involved in working on issues like food security and community projects; working with certified groups and organizations to make projects possible and get people excited; have a great email system to keep people up-to-date.

In the Winne article, it talks about how one person went to city hall to try to get $20,000 to start a WIC/Farmers market program in 1987 in Connecticut. 

That program lifted off, became the one of the first social programs sponsored by the USDA and is now nationally funded with $40 million annually, supporting low-income people and farmers markets nation wide. 

Clancy discussed how many Food Policy Councils have failed or faded due to lack of social outreach, government support and mostly lack of funding. Without the funds needed to do what the members want to do, they have to focus on fundraising and eventually the whole council fizzles away. 

These Food Councils are important for they help shape how the local food system plays out, the accessibility of fresh food and the local agri-economy. 

This what they did to help combat the obesity crisis in Alabama; use a portion of cotton subsidies to towards WIC to buy fruits and veggies from farmers markets. This has helped poor people to buy more food, have access to healthy food, help the farmers make extra money and keep the money within the local economy.

Food Policy councils survive when they have the 3 P's; partners, projects and policy.

They help facilitate discussion and social interactions between different parties, to help the local community, use grass-roots approaches to make sure all voices can be heard for a city to adapt and create a sustainable food system that is healthy for all!

Food Hubs: A Source for Food Distribution and Economic Opprotunity

In the Gilespie article for this week there was mention of farmers markets being able to support local business incubation. It mentions how business incubation, can be used to identify and provide market opportunities for business.

From the other reading it led me to inquire, on how farmers markets and local food distribution coincide breakdown the barriers associated with Farm-to-School programs. Local and regional food hubs are continuing to grow. There is a degree to which food hubs can make farmers more profitable in comparable to farmers markets, which usually operates on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. With, the increase of food hubs, farmers can enabled to achieve a better price and also hire workers. The distribution aspect of food hubs can also provide jobs at the local and regional level, providing the service of delivery of fresh foods to schools and other local business. In the Valianatos article, there was the mention of not having steady logistics to serve the needs of fresh foods, comparable to large commercial farms. Having a coalition with a number of farms in a particular region can help reduce the risk of having a shortage of a particular food product. With that being said, I believe that food hubs can be integrated into local food networks as a way to provide economic opportunity and act as a primary provider for fresh food in regional/local areas.

Week 10: Planning for Distribution

Supermarkets to Inner-City Neighborhoods: Economic Development and Public Markets as Community Development Tools (2009) discusses markets on the essence of a community's identity. Markets are very valuable to a society as they provide the society a sense of place, labor participation, and entrepreneurship as they were actually the first "free" enterprise zone.
Socioeconomic benefits occurs in proximity to the markets as they create social and economic activities for both immigrants and citizens alike. The article thought it would be a great idea for planners to establish partnerships with among the stakeholders in the market system. These regulations are expected to reflect the individuals in the market system in order to progress their impact in the system in terms of both entrepreneurial and labor participation.




Three articles this week discussed farmer's markets, farmer's markets feel the gap that occurs between grocery stores and their consumers. Farmer market's is a composition of locally grown foods being sold at a single place, typically a day or two out of the week for a given community. Large cities, with their relatively far distance from the farms, benefit the most from food markets as the most densest and poorest areas tend to be food deserts. New Orleans and Los Angeles are both case studies the articles discussed and they address the concerns of food security. Their impact has increased their percentage of the U.S food market, with annual sales reaching 1 billion dollars, yet 1% of all sales. This number has only been increasing as Americans food consciousness is only increasing as the topic of food continues to turn heads in the upcoming years since their initial establishment in the mid 1970s.






In particular, the Farms to Schools reading is the most interesting one in my opinion as they are created to establish a relationship between schools and farms. As a result, children would have early exposure to farms and food early. With obesity and other diet-related diseases rates abnormally high throughout American cities, these experiences offer local fresh food in school menus. If these kids are eating beet reds in school cafeterias, they will soon also eat beet reds in the comfort of their homes. My middle school curriculum actually focused on agriculture, which is something I actually forgot after 4 years of high school and college. We use to plant crops, till soil, feed rabbits, and other amazing experiences that actually made me environmentally sensitive and conscious at a relatively young age. The Farm to School Movement is not exactly the same thing, as they get to eat their food as well. The Farm to School Movement goes further by educating children as the primary goal. The positive externalities include therapeutic experiences for children that may be suffering from both physical  and mental issues. Gardening programs, local food in school lunchrooms, and field trips to farms are all initiatives that the piece discusses for elementary school children.

Week 10 Reflection

Farmers markets have began to gain traction since the 1970's when towns tried to revive their downtowns ; to try to distribute locally grown produce to keep farmer jobs and feed lower class people. Many of these farmers markets were subsidized by the local community but the main problem many farmer markets experienced was trying to keep farmers from leaving under-served communities to move shop somewhere more affluent and make more money. 

I used to work and pass flyers out at a farmers market that was located in Coral Springs, a nice suburb. While walking around and checking out the vendors I noticed that a lot of the things they sold were like "gourmet organic". Like organic honey jars, French breads, organic dogs treats, etc.

There were a few fruit and vegetable vendors but most of the vendors were "special artisan" places. And some places were kind of steep! 

Like the article implies, our method of food distribution is totally based off of our market economy; it goes where the money is. 

It's important to realized that farmers markets aren't the only way to distribute food. They are a small slice in the organic pie of community food networks but they are an important part to help raise the capital needed to keep its roots growing.

Farm-to-School...or School-to-Farm

[Week 10: Reading Response]


In Vallianatos et al’s “Farm-to-School” article, they investigate the benefits and challenges of locally sourcing food for schools.

What impressed me most about Los Angeles’ “CSA in the Classroom” program is its practicality and effectiveness. Essentially, the program operates within an organized, existing framework (the L.A. school system) and fulfills an ongoing need (food) with a better, healthier alternative. Not only does this new supply for an existing demand benefit the students at the schools in terms of health, nutrition, and education, but it also provides local growers with a reliable source of revenue.

I also noticed that, unlike many other descriptions of projects that explicitly or implicitly advocate one program or approach as “the best” strategy, the authors of this article describe CSA in the Classroom as part of a “toolkit of strategies” (Vallianatos et al 2004, p. 415). I think this mention, though small, is important. It acknowledges that there are many methods toward achieving a more ideal food system.

I was also excited to learn that Kentucky “publishes a list of the growing seasons of thirteen different fruits and twenty-three different vegetables available for the more than fifteen districtwide farm-to-school programs in that state” (p. 416). Like Tallahassee, Louisville (which I mention in almost every blog post) has growing momentum around food issues. Though the article primarily discussed the “farm to school” movement, I’m also interested in “school to farm” initiatives. Projects like Louisville’s Food Literacy Project are examples of urban spaces that provide farm-based classroom experiences, teaching education curriculum requirements (math, science, history, etc.) in the context of agriculture. In the case of the Food Literacy Project, the farm also supplies fresh food to local restaurants and neighborhood organizations, and offers paid farm apprenticeships for high schoolers during the summer months.

Week 10 Blog

The first thing that popped out to me while reading this week’s readings is that inner-cities or urban areas suffer from a lack of supermarkets and grocery stores because these businesses prefer to be in the suburbs where the demographics are usually more wealthy and there is more space to create larger stores. Larger stores that utilize large lots of land house more departments, products, services were able to push smaller stores and food businesses such as bakeries and butcheries out of business, and this makes since, these larger stores are able to use their size to better regulate their food distribution, as well as make grocery shopping more convenient for shoppers. And now it has become the mission of the food systems planner to create infrastructure or space needed to distribute fresh produce to inner cities and areas that need it the most. I noted in Winne’s chapter on farmers markets that residents knew that their low-income neighborhood was not regarded the way wealthier neighborhoods are when it comes to access to healthier foods, and instead of having a Whole Foods, they more likely have convenient stores.

However, farmers markets are a great tool for planners to bring the food distribution of healthy foods to food insecure places like these, and the number of farmers markets has definitely grown over time. However, the supermarkets are still the main source of food for most households, so I am thinking that in order for farmers market to meet a greater customer base, they too must attain more infrastructure to support them. In order to do this though there need to be in increase in local farm space as well as a larger distribution system to support it. There would have to be a great culture shift to allow this to happen, such as the growth of local farming, better public transportation, policy that subsidize players in the healthy food distribution system. And another thing I do not get is that food companies today and in the past heavily use images of farms, happy farmers, and fresh produce to market their products, yet in reality their products are not made the way the images on them depict them too. But still, they are able to sell these products that aim this idea, I want to ask, how can planners market fresh produce and farmers markets as successfully as top products to make their claim in their food distribution system? 

Planning for Food Distribution - Farmers' Markets

Three of this week's readings examined farmer's markets and their role in local and regional food systems. Mark Winne's chapter on farmers' markets examines what factors go into creating successful markets that serve both the needs of small farmers, who are seeking a profitable outlet for their produce (and facing a variety of challenges in the current, globalized food system), and consumers, including those with little income. Winne notes the tendency of markets to be most successful when they are profitable for the farmers, or, in other words, when these markets have access to wealthier consumers, and that many markets placed in low-income neighborhoods to address food insecurity are unsuccessful without subsidies such as funds from the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (Winne, 2008). Winne also points out that those farmers' markets that successfully serve the needs of low-income communities typically also require the efforts of socially motivated organizations and individuals in addition to subsidies (Winne, 2008). This reading also offers some statistics on farmers' markets in the mid-2000s, including that over a third of these markets nationwide are sponsored by local governments, and that around two-thirds were involved with the FMNP (Winne, 2008).

Gillespie et al. discuss the role of farmers' markets in local and regional food systems, referring to them as "keystones in building more localized food systems" (Gillespie, 2007). This article focuses on four functions of farmers' markets that create and support local food systems. The first of these functions that markets serve is raising awareness of local food by making it more visible to consumers through sales in public spaces. Farmers' markets are generally seasonal and occur on a regular basis, and this often draws media attention (on seasonal openings of farmers' markets, for instance), especially when events are also held at the markets. Also, due to the location of many markets in downtown public spaces, many people passing by are exposed to the availability and idea of purchasing local foods (Gillespie, 2007). The second function is that of encouraging the diversification of products offered by farmers. Rather than relying on only a few standardized, commodity items, selling directly to consumers can lead farmers to branch out to different crops, taking advantage of the demand for specialty products, such as certain types or varieties of vegetables or value-added products, and this can also attract new groups of consumers to farmers' markets, such as immigrants seeking culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables (Gillespie, 2007). This diversification can build resiliency within the food system and for farmers who may be able to extend growing periods and be less affected by price fluctuations or crop failures (Gillespie, 2007). The third function of farmers' markets is incubating small business, which is also discussed in the Morales reading. Farmers' markets have relatively low-risks and few barriers for individuals attempting to start up a business. Farmers' markets can also be a source of human capital and training, both informal and in some cases sponsored training and educational programs (Gillespie, 2007). Selling at farmers' markets may also allow producers to create valuable business relationships, such as with local chefs who appreciate their produce, or households who develop some degree of loyalty to their business. The fourth function discussed by Gillespie is that farmers' markets create environments combining social and economic interactions, creating "civic spaces", where ideas as well as money may change hands, and where many diverse groups of people may come together and interact where they otherwise might not (Gillespie, 2007). Gillespie et al. end the article by noting that most of the farmers' markets that perform all of these functions and build local food systems are not formed by accident. Like the markets discussed in the Winne chapter that successfully serve low-income communities, these farmers' markets require a large amount of organizing and effort by groups and individuals who are actively pursuing some goal of community development (Gillespie, 2007).

In the Morales article, the discussion revolves around business incubation in public markets in general, focusing on the question of how individuals get involved in selling at markets, and how public markets can facilitate the creation and expansion of businesses. The author provides archival data and literature exposing the importance of public markets to cities and city-dwellers, especially new immigrants and low-income residents, who can benefit from the low entry barriers of such markets as well as the affordable products they provide. Morales then looks at individual accounts of those starting businesses at Chicago's Maxwell Street Market. Morales found that both individual factors, such as the desire for greater autonomy in employment, and structural factors, such as discrimination or the inability to access formal labor markets, influenced those creating businesses at the market (Morales, 2009). In general, the article emphasizes the low barriers to entry provided by the public market to potential business owners, the way that this allows people to experiment with their business plans, and the importance of this for immigrants, women, and people of color who face a variety of challenges when it comes to obtaining employment and starting a business through other, more costly and risky avenues such as a conventional storefront (Morales, 2009).

Local Means to Solve National Issues

The readings for this week point to one (or two) clear paths towards achieving more sustainable distribution methods as a part of achieving a comprehensive food system network. In particular, the readings focused on food markets and farm-to-school programs as solutions to the issues surrounding the distribution chain in today's food systems. Winne's article, "Closing the Gap," offered comedic relief to tell the story of the history of farmer's markets in the U.S. The superfluous measures of regulation surrounding the first farmer's market in Hartford, as told by Winne, provided a self-deprecating perspective on the management performance of local government in the face of something new and unfamiliar. Even still, the message at the center of the readings was clear: farmers markets provide fresh, local, and affordable produce to residents.



Farm-to-school programs offer a multifaceted approach to relieving the broken food system. Intended to support local farmers, and minority farmers in particular, as well as targeting dietary issues in youth, the farm-to-school program is both ambitious and entirely sensical. It is only logical, and equitable, that children should receive healthy foods to eat, but also to learn from. Initiating food education within the school system is a necessity in creating a dialogue around healthy foods and healthy cultures. Farmer's markets and farm-to-school systems appear to be the biggest initiatives in tackling the food crises that our nation faces, in the absence of institutional change. Taking small strides, such as these, is the answer to a lack of major policy response to the broken food system. Instead of addressing issues head-on by dismantling or at least heavily regulating the major food corporations, those who take the future of our nation's health seriously have turned to these alternatives. In some ways, it is difficult to maintain these programs as "innovative" to the food system, as they are the most pure and authentic iteration of our interaction with food. Yes, farm-to-school programs should be highly regarded, but why hasn't it always been in place? The mechanization of farming and mass production of agriculture completely disrupted the farming system, and planners and food-enthusiasts have been trying to reverse its effects for 30 and 40 years through programs such as these.

Week 10 Reflection - Planning for Distribution

            Planning for distribution through, for example, farmers markets takes months to organize and carry out successfully. People organizing it must collaborate and come to an agreement with each other prior to. In addition, farmers markets can bring a significant cash flow to the local community that didn’t exist prior. In Winnie’s article, I was glad to learn that small farms in Connecticut have increased by 20% since 1970, while large farms have declined. While it is evident that small farms continue to increase as consumer choices become more educated, I was confused to find out that fast food restaurants continue to increase 7% annually rather than decrease. Perhaps this why low-income neighborhoods continue to be plighted with issues of cheap fast food versus more expensive fresh groceries, the two clash.

            In regards to low-income neighborhoods, “Farm‐to‐school: Strategies for urban health, combating sprawl, and establishing a community food systems approach” mentions health issues such as obesity among children that most commonly occurs in low-income neighborhoods. While fast food industries do play a influence their lives, it can also be argued that zoning regulations contribute to these issues. Children are placed into schools based on zoning regulations for their neighborhoods. Those living in low-income neighborhoods are hypothesized to live in bad neighborhoods according to an urban economic theory. Thus, if children live in low-income areas, then they are perpetually stuck in the cycle of bad neighborhoods that are targeted by fast food areas. Zoning forces them to attend schools that are in their area and because they may not have funding to support farm to school programs, their lunch items are limited to processed junk. Although this may be a stretch, does anyone think zoning affects a child’s opportunity for better access to locally grown fresh foods in education institutions?

10

Throughout the semester we have discussed multiple facets of local and regional food systems. Although mentioned and frequently brought up, the literature for this week sheds light on a key aspect of food systems planning--distribution. Through farmers' markets, farm to school programs, and grocery store location incentives, communities are able to bridge access issues while connecting with local farmers. 

Winne (2008), Morales (2009), and Gilespie et al (2007) introduce farmers markets as spaces that not only provide a space for fresh and affordable food to be sold, but also serve as a space that drive community, social, political, and economic development. As the food system has become increasingly more industrialized Winne (2008) likens markets to "knights in battle against the current food system." Here, farmers and community members create a space to reason, connect, and sell/purchase food local to their neighborhood. Further, Morales (2009) encourages planners to find interest in farmers markets as they 

1. Serve as places that are attractive to neighborhood residences, as they promote a higher quality of life and encourage sociability.
2. Promote the use of vacant lots through urban design and place making
3. Address concerns relating to health, environment, and ecological concerns.
4. Encourage economic and community development. 

Farm to school programs serve as another method of food distribution. Cobb (2011) and Valianatos (2004) discuss farm to school programs as tools to not only increase the health and nutrition of children, but increase the economic health of local farmers as well. Valianatos also discusses how farm to school programs may also be used as tools to curb sprawl through land preservation. This was an interesting point, as I have never thought of how this side of the argument before. So often I hear about the obesity epidemic, that I have never thought about the benefits that farmers could receive from farm to school programs. The literature reinforces that farm to school programs have the potential to establish a strong, local/regional food system. 

Although Farmers markets and farm to school programs have boomed in the last thirty years (Winne, 2008) grocery stores remain at the forefront of issues relating to access. Pothukuchi (2005) analyzes the results of a survey with 32 planners discussing the initiatives that are needed to take to encourage grocery stores to locate in underserved neighborhoods. Although the road to incentivizing grocery stores is complicated, there is one central finding "grocery stores are important contributors to neighborhood quality of life (Pothukuchi, 2005). 

Week 10, TED Talks and the Planners benefit

The Pothukuchi article once again brought up the importance that is the role of the planners in developing the food system. Specifically she says that many public officials wondered whether it was part of their mission. The public sector, more specifically the planner in local government, has the ability to work toward incentivizing grocery stores to develop in certain areas, to incentivize and provide resources for farm to school, and to help organize farmers markets. All of these articles allude to the fact that planners play the role in spatially creating the food system and helping to guide its existence within their jurisdictions. Although as we discussed toward the beginning of the semester, there are a lot of other factors at play that affect the choices of individuals working within the food environment, I think there is no doubt that the planner has a foundational role in shaping it.

I watched a Ted talks in another one of my courses that was by a woman named Majora Carter. She lives in the Bronx and saw all of the blight, the lack of healthy foods, and the many other inner-city environmental justice issues that made it difficult to get to fresh food and enjoy being outside. The downfall that was expressed within our class and is now a recurring comment with her movement, is that she was able to bring money back into the Bronx to create some green spaces and help through a few avenues, but in order to truly get anything done she was charging high prices for people to come in and talk with her. In a city that is already low income but has a lot of individuals that want change, it’s not very advantageous to have the changemaker be privatized and costly, and therefore inaccessible to the greater community.

These articles and a few of our previous ones really highlight the advantage that planners can have in this instance, Planners can act a liaison between multiple platforms, whether private or public. There is also much more accessibility when planners are already connected to various industries and have more power to help create incentives for grocery stores or farmers markets. In my opinion, the best option would be having that champion and resident (such as Majora Carter) work with local planners to create a solution that is accessed on all fronts.

Although the example isn't perfect, I feel that it really highlights the differences in what can be accomplished by the planner versus local private entities.

https://www.ted.com/talks/majora_carter_s_tale_of_urban_renewal?language=en

Week 10: Reflection

I don’t know how I feel about working for a non-profit for the rest of my life. I don’t really think it is the best fit for me. However, interning with the Frenchtown Farmers Market has definitely given me great exposure to the local food community and field. Being a part of the planning process for the Frenchtown Farmers Market has been kind of cool. I was able to interact with a lot of like-minded people who just wants to see their community thrive in a positive way.

Working with the Frenchtown Farmers market has also been an emotional roller coaster. One moment you’re happy because every thing is going as planned. Then the next moment you find out terrible news that just kills all your hopes and dreams. For example, our Frenchtown Farmers Market team was getting super excited because our first market day was just was coming up and everything was going well. Then our director told us that a Dollar General store was going to be opening up down the street from our marketplace location. At that point I just felt like all my hard work went to waste. The city commissioner approved these plans, which made me feel like they thought our mission and purpose was kind of useless. Honestly, I don’t think my heart can handle the rocky road of unbalanced emotions and stress. Lol.

Week 10: The Frenchtown Market

Few months ago I started working with the Frenchtown Heritage Market (FHM), and my primary intentions were to know more about the structure and the way the market works, but the more I learned about it and its people, the more I was able to integrate this location as part of the big picture.

During the early stages of the project I was able to see the purpose of the market: to create a space that combines culture, art, food, and social interaction. The market is a prime example of how the food gap can be narrowed, added to a few other perks such as a cultural venue and a center for community engagement. From this week’s readings, several points were mirrored from my observations of the market. The FHM’s location is in Frenchtown (hence the name), which directly addresses the issue of food security in the area, and it provides easy access to the Frenchtown neighborhood, whose population is heavily dependent on walking or public transportation. Second, the market targets low income customers by providing Fresh Access Bucks, an incentive funded by Florida Organic Growers to double the amount of money used by SNAP, WIC, and EBT recipients. Third, the market’s future plans include a public, USDA certified kitchen that stimulates small businesses to expand their sale locations by selling freshly cooked food to the market’s visitors. Fourth, the market seeks to invite local artists of all kinds to perform and attract a difference audience that would benefit from a marketplace’s day. Lastly, the market works with other organizations such as Tallahassee Food Network and Frenchtown Neighborhood Association to close the cultural gap that may be stigmatized in most farmers markets and wishes to create social cohesion by integrating a diverse staff and clientele.

My first experience at the market was during its new opening, and I must say that my whole day was so much better after spending few hours in there. Early on, the vendors were eagerly awaiting for customers to arrive, showcasing a plethora of products such as homemade beauty supplies, jams, pastries, trail mixes, and more. Another feature that struck me was the Bicycle House’s appearance, where they provided free repairs in addition to a tandem (two-person bicycle) ride, a favorite for the children who were visiting the market. Throughout the day, many speakers came and did things such as live cooking, singing, and invited the children to come and participate in dances as well. Each vendor had their own purpose to be at the market and it was uplifting to hear each one of their studies. Logistically, the market also conducts a study with FAMU to get a more accurate description of the market’s demographics, finding out the dominant age range, ethnicity, and other factors such as income and transportation.

Needless to say, the Frenchtown Market possesses heavy potential for the community. It promotes inclusion and diversity by closing the food gap, leading to happier people. Like me, I am sure that I am not the only one who experiences an air of bliss at the market, and I hope that the efforts that everybody puts into it create a space where communities can grow, remain healthy, and sustain themselves. 

Week 10 Blog

The readings this week discuss the various ways that food is bought and how farmers specifically interact with consumers. The history behind how farmers markets used to work and how there seems to be a resurgence in them is also noted. With the massive growth of agrobusiness and the companies that produce a majority of the products we buy in a grocery store we have found that the interaction between the farmer and the consumer has lessened. This phenomenon in turn has also eliminated the transparency in regards to ones food, with interaction by the farmer at various farmers markets and with the introduction of farm to school programs one can now be sure of where there food comes from and on a heightened degree they may understand the conditions it was grown under and if any sort of harmful additives may have been introduced. Farm to school programs have also provided a pipeline of healthy food to growing youth, with a current system that favors spending as little as possible the farm to school movement has altered the playing field as kids can now have access to healthy and fresh food otherwise not found in a school cafeteria. This system promotes a synergistic balance as the farmers are able to sell locally and make a fair amount for the products sold but also that the children can learn and appreciate the idea that their food is grown essentially in their own backyard and not thousands of miles away. These kind of programs have also encouraged school wide gardening programs where produce can be grown on site and then used in the meals the children will eat. The focus on getting farmers and people active in their local communities serves as a way that can benefit all, the introduction of multiple farmers markets encourages stimulation of the local economy while also providing for greater social interaction between people in their communities. This also provides an outlet for education as people can become more aware of what they eat and hopefully make healthier choices overall. These farmers markets also provide for a relaxing environment where choices may be made in a less stressful environment and overall may create a positive impact in ones food choices.

The increasing trend in the consumption of locally grown foods and programs which encourage and organize events and spaces in which these items may be purchased have created positive impacts on communities around the country. With the transparency of farm to school and the wellness that sites like farmers markets can provide, this trend seems like it can only improve. 

Week 10

The readings this week focused on food and markets. The two major themes from the readings were the social and economic benefits of local farmers' markets, and the benefits to farmers and children when Farm to School programs are implemented.

The Farmers' Markets: Bringing the Food to the People, Farmers' Markets as Keystones, the Pothukuchi (2005) reading, and the Morales (2009) reading all focused on farmers' markets. The readings discussed the idea that farmers' markets have been overrun by large supermarket chains. These supermarket chains are locating outside of city centers, which makes the food inaccessible for low income areas. This made me feel that "white flight" prompted "food-flight," or the movement of food from the inner city to the suburbs with the affluent white people. This concept brings the ideas of the food and justice readings we had in week four.

This week's readings also discussed other ways in which the supermarket takeover have negatively impacted the food system. One of these negative impacts is that "local food system infrastructures have become more fragmented and homogenized (Farmers' Markets as Keystones, N.D.)." In other words, a regional area only has one element of food production infrastructure, such as a production plant, as opposed to all processes taking place simultaneously in the same location. Another negative impact of the movement of supermarkets out of the city center is that there are now fewer and smaller stores in low-income areas, which means that food stamps are able to purchase fewer items because the prices tend to be higher in smaller markets.

The Eschmeyer (N.D.) and Villiantos, Gottlieb, and Haase (2004) readings discussed farm to school programs, and the associated positive impacts. Farm to school programs provide local, farm-fresh food to schools. This concept benefits both farmers and school children. Farmers are able to make money they would not otherwise make by reaching out to a new, local customer, and the children gain access to fresh, healthy foods. The benefit to children is especially important considering the rise in childhood obesity. Farm to school programs have shown to lead to different food habits for kids such as increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreased consumption of unhealthy foods, and a willingness to try healthier options. What I really liked about some of the farm to school programs was the incorporation of parent education about healthy food choices. It is very important for parents to be involved with their children's food choices.

How can we further educate parents on healthy eating and its importance?
Are there any ways not discussed in the readings that municipalities could encourage local farmers' markets?

Week 10: Farm to School

Farm to school programs are beneficial to everyone. Whether farmers are providing the healthy food options that children eat during school lunch which can provide them with the needed energy to get through the day or the use of a community school garden, the health benefits are tremendous--both mental and physical. We’ve talked about the therapeutic release farming can provide, especially for kids who spend countless hours a day sitting in a classroom. A school garden implemented by a farm to school movement can help alleviate the stress. Additionally, the education about food helps teach responsibility to students. Imagine the sense of pride, joy, and empowerment a child feels when she eats a salad made from lettuce, radishes, and sprouts she grew herself in the school garden. No child is going to turn down produce he or she grew. Also, having children maintain the garden would help lower costs required for labor. The ability to use the food in school lunches would further lower costs.

What I also think is a benefit of these programs is how easily incorporated they can be to other subjects. For example, math: how many plants do we have growing in our garden? If we used seven heads of lettuce to make a salad at lunch, how many would we have left? ; science: the rain cycle, the nutrients cycle, photosynthesis; even Art: paint your favorite thing that grows on a farm. This reflects how integrated our food system is in respects to other areas of our society (i.e. environmental, economic, etc.)

Besides the health and educational benefits, it further strengthens community relationships. I think most community members would be happy to show children where their food comes from and how to cook it--including chefs, community gardeners, parents, etc. 

I remember being in the first grade and having my dad (who is a chef) come in to demonstrate how to cook for our class. Everyone was thrilled and interested in the lesson. Have you ever had any experiences such as cooking classes or a school garden in your years of school? Whether yes or no, how did this affect your experience of food during elementary to high school?

Week 10 Readings

The readings this week informed me of the benefits of farm to school programs that are implemented in some areas of the country. These programs created a link between the schools and the local farms. In turn, fresh food was made available for the students at these schools. The school's are not the only beneficiary in these programs, the farms benefit as well. The program increases demand for fresh, local food products, which financially supports the local farms.

The programs also educate both the children and adults at the school about the true origins of our nations food. Also, health and nutrition are promoted by always having fruits and vegetables available for consumption. It teaches kids to live a more healthy, active lifestyle.

Since there is so much benefit to these programs, one may wonder why they are not implemented nationwide. Well, there are some difficulties in running one of these programs successfully. For one, it is difficult to keep the cost down at an acceptable rate because food from small local farms is generally more expensive than food from a huge national conglomerate. Healthy food doesn't do anyone good if it is too expensive for most kids to buy.

The incident between the Atlanta city planners and Kroger was unfortunate, but it was reality. There are certain neighborhoods where grocery stores simply aren't successful, and there is available data to back this up. Since Kroger is a profit driven entity, it would be a mistake on there part to invest in a neighborhood that would cause them to lose profit. It is an unfortunate flaw in our capitalistic society.

Week 10: Readings

This week’s readings discussed the involvement of planning in food distribution primarily in the context of farm to school programs and farmers markets. The farm to school programs created connections between schools and farms, supported the introduction of fresh, local food into school menus and it developed agricultural and nutritional literacy for children and adults, while supporting local farmers. There are a lot of benefits to having this program in the school system like increasing the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, but there were also barriers, such as, the food service operations pressure to standardized meals at a low price and the logistics of ordering, billing and delivery of local food.  Farmers markets make local food more visible, encourage diversification as opposed to homogenization of food, support business incubation and facilitate social and economic interaction. They also help in meeting the financial needs of small to medium size farms, while providing an affordable source of food for low income residents.

City planners have been involved in the efforts of reintroducing supermarkets to low income urban areas through empowerment zone-enterprise community (EZ-EC) designations. I found it particularly interesting that when the city planners of Atlanta “pursued Kroger with an attractive development package, which included tax abatements, employee tax credits, bond financing, and low-cost lease, to anchor a retail development in the predominantly African American Martin Luther Kimg-Ashby neighborhood within the EZ”, they were not interested. It left these planners wondering if the reasons were racial, did Kroger not think it was a worthwhile investment, or did Kroger need a larger store base to justify investing? In previous lectures we’ve discussed when grocery stores were established in underserved areas, even with all the incentives mentioned above, most stores closed within a few years. This makes me wonder if a community food assessment was performed to assist the city planners in determining alternative, long-standing grocer options that could be made available to this community. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can make this community more food secure?