Closing the Grocery Gap in Maryland

1. Closing the Grocery Gap in Maryland Maryland Governor’s Housing Conference Eugene Kim, The Food Trust October 16, 2012

2. The Food Trust Working to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious food

3. The Food Trust • Founded in 1992 • 5 Program Areas: • Farmers’ Markets • School Nutrition Education • Healthy Corner Stores Initiative • Farm to School • Supermarket, Grocery Store, and Healthy Food Retail Development

4. The alternatives in many places The Food Trust

5. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1985 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14%

6. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1991 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

7. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1997 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

8. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2001 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%

9. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2005 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

10. Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2010 (*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

11. Supermarket access is a public health and economic development issue

12. Philadelphia: Areas of Greatest Need

13. The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative • Public-private partnership • $120 million financing program that provides grants and loans to supermarkets and grocery stores

14. Public-Private Partnership Model

15. Accomplishes public health and economic development goals • 88 Projects • 5,000+ jobs • 1.6 million square feet of retail • $165 million total project investment “Top 15 Innovations in American Government”– Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, 2009

16. Momentum Building Nationwide • New York • New Orleans • New Jersey • Illinois • California

17. Healthy Food Financing Initiative I. Executive Action • Federal government’s 1st ever coordinated step to eliminate food deserts • Interagency initiative including grants, tax credits and technical assistance • FY 2011: $45 million awarded through Treasury and HHS • FY 2012: $32 million awarded through Treasury and HHS • FY2013 budget request: $285 million through Treasury ($25 million), HHS ($10 million), and a $250 million set-aside within $7 billion NMTCprogram II. Legislative Action • 2012 Farm Bill: Would establish HFFI within USDA

18. HFFI Assistance For CDFIs • Financial Assistance • Financing Healthy Food Options Training Workshops For CDEs • New Markets Tax Credits For CDCs • Financial Assistance

19. HFFI Triple Bottom Line Economic Stimulus Jobs Health Developing Quality Food Markets in Underserved Communities • Revitalizes neighborhoods • Leverages private capital • Increases local taxes • Creates jobs with career paths for local residents • Promotes a healthier diet which can reduce rates of diabetes & obesity

20. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Campaign – Diverse Support • Partial List of National Supporters • American Heart Association • American Public Health Association • Children’s Defense Fund • Community Food Security Coalition • Food Research and Action Center • Food Marketing Institute • Local Initiatives Support Corporation • NAACP • National Grocers Association • National WIC Association • Opportunity Finance Network • United Fresh Produce Association

21. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative Advocacy Campaign • The Food Trust, The Reinvestment Fund & PolicyLink • More than 90 organizational supporters • Stay informed and get involved: www.policylink.org The Food Trust

22. Areas of Need in Maryland Mapping Data Sources: • Supermarket Sales: • Trade Dimensions Retail Database, 2009 • Population and Income: • ACS 2005-2009 • Diet-related Death: • The Maryland Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2008 (select ICD-10 codes)

23. Maryland Supermarkets www.TheFoodTrust.org

24. Low Sales and Low Income

25. Areas of Greatest Need

26. Public Health and Nutrition Leaders Children’s Advocates Supermarket Industry Leaders Grocery Access Task Force Community and Economic Development Leaders Government Officials Business and Civic Leaders Maryland Fresh Food Retail Task Force

27. Barriers to Supermarket Development • Development & Operating Costs • Financing • SNAP Distribution • Workforce • Transportation • Financing • Security • Land Assembly and Use

28. Recommendation #2 – Healthy Food Financing • Develop or expand a flexible business financing program of grants and loans to support the development, renovation, or expansion of stores that carry or would want to carry healthy foods in underserved communities.

29. Recommendation #7 – SNAP Distribution • A new distribution schedule should be developed that disburses SNAP benefits more evenly throughout the month and over a longer period of time.

30. Next Steps • Final Report from Task Force • Advocacy & Implementation Working Groups

31. Working together to ensure access to affordable, nutritious food.

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