Healthy Affordable Food

RWJF Priority: Increase access to high-quality, affordable foods through new or improved grocery stores and healthier corner stores and bodegas

Research shows that having a supermarket or grocery store in a neighborhood increases residents’ fruit and vegetable consumption and is associated with lower body mass index (BMI) among adolescents. Yet, many families do not have access to healthy affordable foods in their neighborhoods. This is especially true in lower-income communities, where convenience stores and fast-food restaurants are widespread, but supermarkets and farmers’ markets are scarce.

Childhood Obesity Policy Priorities

Health policy snapshot

Do All Americans Have Equal Access to Healthy Foods?

Millions of Americans do not have access to healthy, affordable foods. Supermarkets provide the most reliable access to nutritious and affordable produce.

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From Bridging the Gap

Zoning for Healthy Food Access Varies by Community Income

Community zoning policies are more likely to allow fast-food restaurants and retail stores than supermarkets and grocery stores.

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From Healthy Eating Research

Changes to WIC Program Improve Access to Healthy Foods and Beverages Without Increasing Costs

Corner stores, convenience stores, and bodegas in two lower-income North Philadelphia neighborhoods began carrying healthier foods after the federal government made changes to a popular food aid program.

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From the Food Trust

Harnessing the Power of Supermarkets to Help Reverse Childhood Obesity

This report identifies “win-win-win” solutions for consumers, retailers and manufacturers.

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Winning strategies in the fight against childhood obesity

Pittsburgh-Area Supermarket a Showplace for Healthier Food Options

Thanks to a state grant and loan program, Safran Brothers Shop & Save is a gleaming, up-to-date store and a business that is adding jobs to this economically depressed area.

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From the Hudson Institute

Lower-Calorie Foods: It's Just Good Business

Restaurant chains that serve more lower-calorie foods and beverages have better business performance.

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3 p.m. to Bedtime: Crunch Time for Children and Obesity

Crunch Time: Challenges and Solutions

A poll reveals that many parents face a variety of barriers to helping their children lead healthy lives, especially during the "crunch time" from 3 p.m. to bedtime.

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More Research and Resources on Healthy Affordable Food

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Physical Activity and Food Environments

March 1, 2009 | Journal Article

This article provides an update on the body of research on physical activity and food environments. The authors present results from recent studies and reviews and discuss current promising innovations and policies.

Live Well Greenville

January 1, 2011 | Toolkit

These resources from San Souci Community Garden, were designed to serve as guides for gardeners in growing fresh, healthy food in their community gardens.

Sprouting Healthy Kids Promotes Local Produce and Healthy Eating Behavior in Austin, Texas, Middle Schools

October 8, 2010 | Program Result Report

The Sustainable Food Center partnered with six middle schools in Austin, Texas, to implement a program to increase children's knowledge of the food system, their consumption of fruits and vegetables and their access to local farm produce.

A New Light Rail Line with Stops in Low-Income Neighborhoods

August 4, 2010 | Program Result Report

ISAIAH, a faith-based community organization of 90 congregations, mobilized community activists to promote the links between transportation and access to healthy foods and to bring light-rail stops to low-income neighborhoods in the Twin Cities.

University of Buffalo Professor Encourages Planners to Create Communities That Facilitate Healthy Food Systems and Healthy Eating

February 22, 2010 | Story

Samina Raja's active living research includes a National Institutes of Health grant to study how well an effort to increase physical activity in youth works among children living in areas with high access and in areas with low access to parks.

Principles for Framing a Healthy Food System

July 1, 2009 | Journal Article

A healthy food system is one in which everyone has daily access to a diet that allows for a full life, that does not deplete natural resources and allows for a sustainable livelihood by those involved with all aspects of food production. The author suggests seven principles that could be used in moving the United States toward a markedly improved food system.

Illustrating the Challenges

January 11, 2010 | Story

A gallery of scenes shows conditions that contribute to obesity in many communities.

Growing a Healthier City, One Garden at a Time

December 28, 2009 | Story

Father William Weiksnar, Vianca Salcedo and Alex Checo take a break from their work to smile for a photo. Increasing access to healthy foods is a key component of the Foundation’s strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic. And nowhere is th ...

Measuring Food Availability and Access in African-American Communities

April 1, 2009 | Journal Article

This article examines the study of food environments in African-American communities. The increase in obesity in the United States disproportionately impacts African-Americans as well as other minority groups.

Study Shows a Little Money Buys a Lot of Calories at City Corner Stores

October 12, 2009 | News Release

Fifty-three percent of kids surveyed visited a corner store daily, five days per week; Chips and candy top the list of items purchased, but efforts are being made to increase healthy options.