Redesigning a Broken Food System - Greenhorns

Invisible Work ForceThe people who pick, process, deliver, and serve our food areunderpaid, live in poor conditions, or work in hazardous environments.Mail Online

Healthy Food Access inDetroit

Healthy Food For AllBuilding Equitable and Sustainable Food Systems inDetroit and Oakland Commissioned by FairFood Foundation; research by Policy Link andthe CS Mott Group for Sustainable Agriculture,Michigan State University

Scope of the Study• GOAL: Assess the current environment and potential forchange in two cities where the food system is mostbroken: Detroit and Oakland• METHODOLOGY: Focus groups and interviews• PARTICIPANTS• QUESTIONS:1) Habits, concerns, interests2) Infrastructure, activities to improve access and equity3) Challenges and opportunities

Key Findings: Detroit1. Knowledgeable about diet and food quality2. Food safety concerns3. Cooking is important4. Lacking: Quality food, nearby stores, transportation, and other resources5. Need: More fresh food in Detroit stores6. Perception of neighborhood stores: Inferior products and service, preyingon vulnerable communities7. 42 organizations doing food systems work8. The grocery situation in Detroit is viewed as an injustice

Debunking the MythsMyth #1: No One CooksMyth #2: People don’t knowhow to eat healthy

What we Learned: Opportunities in Detroit• Urban agriculture• Food and economic development• Collaboration• Youth education and involvement• Eastern Market• National movement

Principles of System Re-Design–Equity–Diversity–Ecological Integrity–Economic Viability

SolutionsPolicyPractice

To Change the System, Change PolicyChange the Policy, Change the World

Policy• Local- Zoning changes, vacant land access,food policy councils, urban agriculture• State- Farmland preservation, groceryfinancing, workforce and economicdevelopment incentives• Federal- Changes to SNAP, WIC, and schoolfood

A Shift in Political Priorities“Know Your Farmer…Know Your Food”Organic Nation

Practice• New Grocery Stores; upgrade existing stores• Urban Agriculture• Local/Regional Food System Networks• Farmer’s Markets• Mobile Markets• CSA’s• Workforce Development

Building Community throughpractice- the Greening of Detroit

Fair Food NetworkFair Food Network is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with otherorganizations to design a food system that upholds the fundamental right to healthy, freshand sustainably-grown food, especially in historically-excluded communities.