Salem Seeks to Improve Food Insecurity with Healthy Options

From the City of Salem: The City of Salem, through the Salem Mass in Motion program, has launched a collaborative Food Policy Council to better address food insecurity issues among the City’s most needy populations and to improve access to healthy food options for all.

Participants in the Council include City officials and department staff, representatives of food banks and pantries, urban gardening advocates, members of the faith community, and individuals from non-profit organizations that serve at-risk populations within the city.

“Broad-based community participation through a Food Policy Council will help ensure that our efforts reflect the community’s concerns and goals, generate meaningful results, and can lead to positive and sustainable change” said Kerry Murphy, Salem Mass in Motion’s Healthy Living Coordinator.

“Council members will be tasked with evaluating the needs and opportunities in Salem’s food system” added Russell Findley, Salem Mass in Motion’s Built Environment Coordinator. “Our hope is that the outcome will be specific recommendations for improvements in our food system.”

The Food Policy Council, which meets every other month, will provide information and share expertise, creativity, and connections between members and participating organizations. It will also assist with promoting and administering surveys, identify current and future challenges and opportunities, and recommend improvements based on research and survey data.

The first action of the Council is to carry out a year-long Community Food Assessment, which will lead to the completion of an Action Plan that the Council and others in the community can work to implement. The Assessment is a collaborative and participatory process that will systematically examine a wide range of community food issues and assets, in order to strategically inform those change actions that will help make Salem more food secure.

“The goal of the Food Policy Council is to help us ensure that all Salem residents have access to safe, healthy, and affordable food options,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll, who attended the Council’s first meeting. “Through the objective assessment of weaknesses and assets in our existing food systems, the Council will be able to thoughtfully go about the important work of making positive changes where it will be most impactful.”

Having a Community Food Assessment could lead to a number of positive changes including improved program development and coordination, changes in public policy, a broader awareness of food security issues, the development of stronger networks and coalitions, and increased community participation in improving Salem’s food system.

Overall, the Food Policy Council and the Assessment will focus on four areas: reducing food insecurity, bolstering the recovery of food waste, improving access to healthy food options, and increasing the utilization and effectiveness of urban gardening. The Assessment includes data analysis of public health statistics, a review of emergency food options, a retail store and restaurant study, and a community survey.

All Salem residents are encouraged to help by taking the community survey, available here.

Images via the City of Salem