A community response to the food environment

Area of Science:

• Community health
• Food systems
• Public health interventions

Background:

• Pioneering Healthier Communities initiative established Activate West Michigan in 2005.
• Urban Grand Rapids low-income, African American, and Latino communities faced food environment barriers.
• Objective was to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in these communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address barriers in the existing food environment.
• To improve access to fruits and vegetables.
• To promote healthier eating habits in targeted urban populations.

Main Methods:

• Formation of the Activate West Michigan coalition.
• Development of community and schoolyard gardens.
• Establishment of farmers' markets.

Main Results:

• By 2008, nine community and schoolyard gardens were established.
• Five farmers' markets were successfully implemented.
• Progress was made in improving the local food environment.

Conclusions:

• Community gardens and farmers' markets can mitigate food environment barriers.
• Interventions can enhance fruit and vegetable accessibility in urban settings.
• Activate West Michigan demonstrated a viable model for community food system improvement.