The main problem is clear. People eat too much salt, sugar, fat, and ultra-processed foods. These foods lead to serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber, and low in harmful fats, red meats, and processed foods, can lower the risk of death and disease for people of all races and backgrounds.
Getting healthy foods to all Americans is a major public health challenge. However, experts believe community-driven solutions can make a big difference. These solutions already exist.
For example, some urban corner stores sell affordable produce grown by local farms. Families can use their EBT cards at farmers markets and receive extra money to buy more fruits and vegetables. Schools can give children several chances to eat nutritious meals. Doctors can even prescribe healthy foods for certain health conditions.
Cities Using Their Buying Power for Healthier Food
Cities are using their large purchasing power to promote healthier eating. This helps reduce dependence on big food companies that control how food is made, marketed, and sold.
About 80% of Americans live in cities. Cities buy food for many public programs like schools, senior centers, and sports teams. “More cities are creating food plans that focus on values, not profits,” says Yeeli Mui, a public health professor.
One example is the Good Food Purchasing Program. It is used in cities like Los Angeles, Buffalo, Chicago, and New York. This program directs city food purchases toward five core values: health, supporting local economies, protecting the environment, fair labor practices, and animal welfare.
These programs help local farmers and suppliers who use sustainable methods and fair labor policies. Mui says, “It’s a plan for cities to invest in local food systems and provide nutritious food for everyone.”
Another approach is food policy councils. These groups bring together local leaders, farmers, schools, restaurants, and others to shape food policies. During the early COVID-19 pandemic, they helped connect food to people in need. Twenty years ago, there were about 100 councils in the U.S. Today, there are over 300.
Helping People Buy Healthy Foods
Federal nutrition benefits help low-income families buy healthier foods. Many places have programs that double the value of SNAP dollars spent on fruits and vegetables. Sonia Angell, a public health professor, explains, “These programs make SNAP dollars go further.”
In California, a pilot program added extra money directly to EBT cards. People could earn up to $60 a month to buy fresh produce. From early 2023 to 2024, this program gave $10.5 million in benefits to 93,000 families.
Using Food as Medicine
Prescribing healthy food is becoming part of medical care for certain conditions. Angell says, “It can help reduce hospital readmissions.”
For example, patients with heart failure might receive low-sodium meals delivered to their homes after leaving the hospital. Other programs give families coupons to buy fruits and vegetables at grocery stores.
In Washington, D.C., families with children facing food insecurity received Produce Rx cards. These cards work at farmers markets to buy fresh, local produce.
Schools as Nutrition Centers
Schools can help children and families access healthy food.
In California, a $4.1 billion investment expanded community schools, which provide services beyond education. Experts recommend programs like “second chance” breakfasts, backpack food programs, and on-site enrollment for food benefits to support students.
Addressing Food Deserts
About 19 million Americans live in “food deserts,” places with limited access to affordable, healthy food. Zoning laws can help fix this problem, says Mui.
Washington, D.C. and other cities promote indoor food growing. Arkansas, where all counties have food deserts, funds mobile markets, seed exchanges, and community gardens.
The Growing Food Connections project supports food policies that increase access to nutrition and help local farming, especially in rural areas. Angell notes that rural efforts often focus on community networks and food delivery for those who can’t travel to stores.
Expanding Successful Approaches
To support local foods and economies, people may need to adjust their expectations about what foods are available and when. Fresh foods now travel an average of 1,500 miles to reach consumers.
Mui says, “We need to understand the real cost to health and the environment. Maybe we don’t need all foods year-round.”
For example, eating seasonal fruits like pears in winter on the East Coast, or citrus on the West Coast, could be healthier and more sustainable. Changing food habits requires both personal choices and policies to make healthy food affordable.
Though many efforts start locally, successful programs can grow and become national policies. For instance, calorie labels on chain restaurant menus began in New York City. Other cities adopted them. Eventually, the federal government made calorie labeling a nationwide law.
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