230 Community Food Security
To build food security in cities, governments must help
The story of the People’s Grocery shows how people in a poor urban community
are working to solve their own problems of food security. The program they
developed has helped many people, but it has not completely solved the
problems of food security.
• Why did people in West Oakland not have healthy food?
• H ow did the People’s Grocery get local people interested in
healthy food?
• How could local government become involved in supporting
this kind of project?
• W hat other groups or institutions could the People’s Grocery
work with to help the project?
• How can you help promote food security in your community?
Sustainable food policy for cities
To have lasting food security, all aspects of city life and development must
be discussed. People responsible for planning transportation, education,
employment, and development of new homes and settlements should think
about how people in the city get their food. Providing land for community
gardens, transportation to markets, and teaching about food security and
nutrition in schools are all ideas local governments can use to help people
today, while making sure there will be better food security tomorrow.
Stores that sell healthy foods at affordable prices support community health.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012