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Temptation at Checkout: The Food Industry’s Sneaky Strategy for Selling More Full Report

Overview

This report examines one reason why it is so difficult to eat well in America today: retail marketing manipulates food choices (Kerr, 2012). We conclude that with high rates of obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases due to poor nutrition, the retail environment should be
shaped not only by economic drivers but also by public health considerations. We propose beginning with the checkout aisles of retail stores, where the vast majority of purchases are unplanned. By rethinking checkout, retailers could support their customers’ health, rather
than pushing the consumption of extra—and often unwanted—calories from candy, soda, and other unhealthy foods and beverages.

Food for Every Child: The Need for Healthy Food Financing in Michigan

Overview

Michigan must address the significant need for fresh food resources in many of its communities. A myriad of factors have created a shortage of healthy food resources in lower-income areas across the state, creating a public health
crisis.
 
Despite having the nation’s second most diverse agriculture industry, 17.9% of Michigan’s residents are food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to healthy food. In Kent County, home to Grand Rapids, the largest city in West Michigan, 80,000 people are food insecure.
 
More than 1.8 million Michigan residents, including an estimated 300,000 children, live in lower-income communities with limited
supermarket access. Underserved communities can be found in rural areas such as Hillsdale, Tuscola, Sanilac, Cold Water and Allegan, as well as in urban centers including Flint and Detroit.

Profile: Cooperative Fund of New England

Overview

The Cooperative Fund of New England  has played a leading role in financing the Northeast’s cooperative food movement. As a CDFI it has served as a financer, lender, and advisor to nearly every food co-op in the area.

Cooperatives differ from traditional businesses in that they are jointly owned by, and operated for the benefit of, the people using their services. A cooperative’s profits are distributed among its members, and decisions are made democratically.

Growing Nourishing Food Systems: A Guide for Local Governments to Improve Healthy Eating in Washington State

Overview

The Growing Nourishing Food Systems toolkit guides local governments to use policy strategies to increase healthy eating in their communities.
 
The food system impacts and is impacted by many parts of society. These parts of society include economic development, energy, health,
housing, public safety, transportation, and water infrastructure.  

2014 Farm Bill Implementation: By the Numbers

Overview

2014 Farm Bill programs impact every American and millions of people around the world. Since President Obama signed it into law one year ago, USDA has made important progress to implement every title of the 2014 Farm Bill.

Building Healthy Communities

Overview

This brochure includes information on United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policies and programs that help strengthen our food economy and local communities. There are brief descriptions of key Farm Bill provisions, examples of how some of these programs are being used, and links to more in-depth resources.

WEBINAR-Funding Your Healthy Food Project with USDA Resources

Overview

As a nation, we must foster a food system that ensures urban and rural communities have access to fresh and healthy foods; small and mid-size farmers can produce and market food in an economically and sustainable manner; and consumers have the resources they need to live healthy and productive lives.
 
This webinar introduces the audience to several programs at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and provide examples of how USDA funding is being tapped to improve access to healthy foods and support local food system development in low-income urban communities.

Approximately 1 Million Unemployed Childless Adults Will Lose SNAP Benefits in 2016 as State Waivers Expire

Overview

Roughly 1 million of the nation’s poorest people will be cut off SNAP (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) over the course of 2016, due to the return in many areas of a three-month limit on SNAP benefits for unemployed adults aged 18-50 who aren’t disabled or raising minor children.  These individuals will lose their food assistance benefits after three months regardless of how hard they are looking for work. 

2012 Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Grantee List

Overview

FY 2012 Healthy Food Financing Initiative Grantees.

2013 Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Grantee List

Overview

FY 2013 Healthy Food Financing Initiative Grantees.

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