Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built
Environment
Forum Proceedings Summary
May 24, 2011
event sponsored by
Delaware Coalition for Healthy Eating and Active Living (DE HEAL)
www.deheal.org
and the
Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (DE APA)
www.delawareapa.org
written by
Amy Clark
Institute for Public Administration
School of Public Policy & Administration
College of Arts & Science
University of Delaware
www.ipa.udel.edu
serving the public good, shaping tomorrow’s leaders
For forum podcast links and additional information, please visit forum webpage:
www.ipa.udel.edu/healthpolicy/healthycommunities/healthy_foods_access/forum.html
FORUM PROCEEDINGS SUMMARY - Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built Environment
May 24, 2011
Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built Environment
Introduction
David Edgell, President, Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association
David Edgell provided a brief introduction for the forum. He acknowledged the many organizations
involved in the research, planning, and development of the forum, including the Delaware Division of
Public Health, the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the Delaware
Coalition for Healthy Eating and Active Living (DE HEAL).
Edgell provided a brief description of the American Planning Association and the responsibilities of
the local Delaware chapter. Additionally, he clarified that the forum would focus on Northern
Delaware, and more specifically on the city of Wilmington as a case study. This was due to the
complexity and dichotomy of issues one might find regarding access to healthy foods in rural Delaware
versus urbanized areas of Delaware. However, Edgell emphasized the applicability of the case study to
other communities throughout the state.
Edgell’s forum introduction concluded with a statement of appreciation for everyone’s interest in the
topic and a hope that the discussion and presentations on the topic would encourage organizations and
individuals to further explore and address issues surrounding the food system and access to healthy
foods in the state.
Food-Desert Mapping In Delaware
William J. DeCoursey, Policy Specialist II, Institute for Public Administration (IPA), University of
Delaware (UD), and Nicole Minni, Assistant Policy Scientist, IPA, UD
www.ipa.udel.edu/healthyDEtoolkit
IPA’s presentation by William DeCoursey and Nicole Minni addressed the importance of the built
environment and its impact on one’s access to healthy and affordable food. The presentation provided a
description of a “food desert,” based on the USDA’s relative levels of access in terms of walkability in
urban areas and drivability in more rural communities. Data illustrating the existence and extent of food
deserts across the U.S. were then presented, highlighting the millions of Americans affected by poor
access to healthy foods. The presentation also emphasized the disparity of healthy-food outlets in lowincome communities, in both rural and urban areas, emphasizing the fact that the most acute problems
are felt among vulnerable populations.
Through data provided by County Health Rankings, a collaborative report published by the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, and
statehealthfacts.org, published by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, comparisons regarding access
to healthy foods among Delaware counties and other counties across the U.S. provided additional
analysis.
The presentation then illustrated the number and distribution of healthy-food outlets in the state
through geographic information systems (GIS) mapping techniques. Geographic locations of all
healthy-food outlets were overlaid on map layers representing 2010 population, median household
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FORUM PROCEEDINGS SUMMARY - Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built Environment
May 24, 2011
income levels, and vehicle ownership data. Additionally, the maps were able to show the number of
“food deserts” per census tract in the state.
Overall, the research and maps not only demonstrated the variation in the access to healthy foods
across the state but also illustrated that access to healthy foods is not as simple as whether or not there is
a supermarket located in the neighborhood.
Barriers to Healthy-Food Access in a Specific Community
Chris Dolley, William Hicks Anderson Community Center
www.wilmingtonde.gov/government/hicksanderson
Through this presentation, Chris Dolley explained the importance of community involvement and
development in changing how people live and how people take care of themselves. His presentation
focused on the West Center City area of Wilmington, which he referred to as “Ground Zero” and where
he has many years of working experience. He described this area as lacking healthy-food establishments
and beset by high rates of unemployment, crime, teenage pregnancy, and transportation issues.
In response to these troubling descriptions, Dolley described the initiatives that the community
center is now taking to address the problems. The community center is looking to establish a co-op, a
market place, and healthy-food establishments to promote healthier lifestyles among residents. The
senior center is also taking into consideration cultural aspects of the community and is looking to
continue to educate and communicate with individuals and increase family involvement, such as
offering cooking classes.
Dolley concluded by stating that while some individuals may be resistant to change, by mobilizing
the community and inspiring hope in the community, many will begin to consider living a healthier and
more active lifestyle.
Public Health Approach to Addressing Food Deserts
Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director, Division of Public Health, Delaware Department of Health and Social
Services
dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph
Dr. Karyl Rattay’s presentation highlighted the increasingly alarming rates of overweight and
obesity among children, youth, and adults in the U.S. and in Delaware as well as the health concerns
related to poor nutrition and chronic diseases. She cited poor diet and physical inactivity as now the
second leading cause of death, behind tobacco use. Other consequences of inactive lifestyles and poor
nutrition mentioned included increases in discrimination, persistence into adulthood, high blood
pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression, sleep problems, and bone complications. Rattay also emphasized
that while increases in obesity rates are seen in all regions of the county, across all economic levels and
races, there are great disparities.
The presentation also focused on the CDC’s recently released state health indicators. This
“Modified Retail Food Environment Index” measures the proportion of retailers that typically sell
healthy foods within a state. Rattay focused on Delaware’s indicators, which showed that the state’s
impoverished census tracts had more food deserts than the national average. Additionally, the CDC
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FORUM PROCEEDINGS SUMMARY - Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built Environment
May 24, 2011
report offered the following recommendations for potential actions: (1) provide incentives for smallfood-store owners to provide healthier and more affordable food options, (2) develop incentive programs
to attract supermarkets to underserved neighborhoods, (3) improve transportation and public safety
efforts, and (4) promote farmers’ markets, produce stands, community gardens, and mobile markets.
In response to the difficulty related to changing individual behaviors, Rattay cited change in
American culture as the biggest culprit. She stated that the American culture has become car-dependent.
Other social norms discussed included (1) a dependence on technology, (2) a bombardment of
advertisements, and (3) unsafe environments that limit the outdoor-activity levels of children. In order
to remedy these issues, Rattay stressed the need for appropriate supports in schools, hospitals,
communities, and within personal relationships to encourage individuals to make healthy choices. She
also mentioned the Social Ecological Model, which focuses on both personal and family responsibility.
Concluding her presentation, Rattay praised the key players locally involved in the issue, including
civic groups, elected officials, doctors, universities, urban planners, etc., and emphasized the future
marshaling of resources, services, and efforts to have the greatest impact on Delawareans.
Keynote Address: The Food Trust
John Weidman, Deputy Director, The Food Trust
www.thefoodtrust.org
Through this presentation, John Weidman explained The Food Trust’s nationwide efforts to end
childhood obesity and improve access to healthy foods. He credits the organization’s success to
collaboration—both internally (staff working directly in the field) and externally (with local
governments and nonprofits).
Weidman’s presentation described the following programs:
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative
This initiative was created in 2004 as a public-private partnership involving the State of
Pennsylvania, The Food Trust, the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, and The
Reinvestment Fund (TRF). The financing program was designed to improve health and create jobs
by attracting supermarkets and grocery stores to underserved urban and rural communities through
the provision of grants and loans to qualified supermarkets and fresh-food retailers. The initiative
has been credited with creating 90 stores, 5,000 full- and part-time jobs, 1.5 million square feet of
grocery retail space, and expanded food access for more than 500,000 residents.
Citywide “Get Healthy Philly” Campaign
This campaign involves working with more than 500 corner-store operators to bring healthier
food options into their stores. Stores are provided a $100 incentive and become eligible for minigrants (ranging from $1,000 to $5,000) for infrastructure improvements (such as new refrigeration
units, new shelving units, and updated displays). Stores are required to introduce two new products
in two categories, such as of fresh produce, whole-grain bread, or low-fat dairy, etc. Stores are also
provided access to social-marketing campaigns designed for and by local school-based programs.
“Philly Food Bucks”
This program is modeled after The Health Bucks Program implemented by the New York City
Health Department. The initiative offers $2 coupons for the purchase of fruits and vegetables.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are provided $2 coupons for every
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FORUM PROCEEDINGS SUMMARY - Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built Environment
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$5 spent using electronic benefit transfers (EBTs) at farmers markets. Essentially, the program
expands the purchasing power of food-stamp participants by about 40 percent.
Additionally, in the past year The Food Trust has opened four new farmers’ markets in lowincome neighborhoods and is looking to open another six this summer.
Farm-to-School Collaboration
This program focuses on teaching children about how food is grown and involving them in the
process. The Food Trust is now allowed in school cafeterias in Philadelphia schools. It collaborates
with other organizations including the Philadelphia Urban Food and Fitness Alliance (PUFFA) and
The Common Market. The program started in five schools and now is working with nearly 25
schools.
Nutrition Education
Funded through the SNAP Education Program, this program now allows the creation of wellness
councils in schools. The program works with about 200 schools to designate wellness councils and
select a wellness champion for each school to develop individual and school action plans.
Weidman also cited the development of similar programs across the country, including the Fresh
Food Financing Initiative in New Orleans and the New York Healthy Food Communities Initiative. At
the national level, the Obama administration is looking to create similar programming nationwide and it
is believed a national effort will continue to address and potentially end the obesity epidemic by
improving access to healthy foods across the nation.
Panel Discussion
Panelists: Sophia Hamilton, Wilmington Planning Department, Dan Tanzer, ShopRite Supermarkets,
Wilmington, and Faith Kuehn, Delaware Department of Agriculture
Each panelist responded to the following questions:
1. How can we change the built environment in Delaware to provide better access to healthy food for
all residents?
Sophia Hamilton began by describing the food environment in the city of Wilmington,
mentioning the four grocery stores, four farmers’ markets, and 13 community gardens in the area.
She also spoke about the free shuttle service offered by the Fresh Grocer in Wilmington that is
operated seven days a week from 12 noon until 6 p.m. for residents who buy $50 or more in
products. It was suggested that this shuttle expand its services to reach other parts of the state.
Hamilton also referenced the Mobile Mart from New Jersey that serves part of Wilmington. This
Mobile Mart brings fresh fruits and vegetables to many of the low-income-senior sites in the
Wilmington area. The operator offers delivery services free of charge and accepts EBT cards. In
regard to this service, Ms. Hamilton suggested increasing the advertising, so people are more aware
of the service.
Dan Tanzer spoke about the multiple ShopRite stores throughout the state. He believed
ShopRite stores were unique because of their ability to connect with local communities. Most
stores are locally owned and, therefore, can react quickly to customer demands.
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FORUM PROCEEDINGS SUMMARY - Access to Healthy Foods in Delaware’s Built Environment
May 24, 2011
With regard to improving access to healthy food, Tanzer argued that improved regional
transportation is critical to promote better access. Currently, there is no bus line that services the
ShopRite of Christina Crossing even though this service has been requested and discussed in the
past.
Faith Kuehn spoke about the availability, affordability, and familiarity of foods with regard to
the number farmers’ markets and community gardens that are sponsored through the Department of
Agriculture, the need to increase the use of food stamps to purchase foods, and the idea of
introducing children to healthy foods through the Farm to School programs within all 19 school
districts in state.
Kuehn stressed the idea of developing mobile markets in Delaware and the need to continue
tracking disparities in accessibility through mapping technologies/analyses.
2. What are the next steps needed to keep Delaware moving forward?
Hamilton referenced the Farmers’ Markets Project on Concord Ave. The project has
experienced problems with obtaining licensure, so she suggested lowering license fees or offering
waivers for anyone starting a farmers’ market, community garden, or urban farm in lower-income
areas.
Kuehn emphasized the need to make connections among organizations working on similar
projects. For example, the Department of Agriculture is working with the Department of Health and
Social Services on the Holloway Campus to hold an “Urban Farm Fair” to connect more agricultural
organizations and behavioral-health organizations.
Tanzer suggested outreach programs through ShopRite stores and other healthy-food retailers to
educate residents about making healthy diet decisions.
Audience Questions and Comments:
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One member of the audience brought up a program called Teens 4 Good (T4G), which is a
youth-entrepreneur produce-and-nutrition business that improves access to healthy food for
communities, creates meaningful jobs for at-risk youth, and empowers youth to become healthy,
responsible young adults and leaders who give back to their communities. The program is run by
the Federation of Neighborhood Centers in Philadelphia, in collaboration with local ShopRite
stores. Weidman fully supports the program and its intended goals and supports the idea of
bringing a similar program to Delaware.
It was suggested that schools or restaurants develop a program in which children, adults, and
families are taught healthy cooking methods. Tanzer responded that ShopRite has a nutrition
department, in which some healthy-menu work is done. However, Kuehn suggested looking into
the high schools and colleges/universities that have culinary-arts programs.
One member of the audience asked if the new grant opportunity within the FFFI could be used
for transportation projects or was it solely for the use of retail establishments. Weidman stated
that the money could be used for planning studies for retail establishments, but he was unsure if
it could also be used for transportation policies.
Someone suggested exploring the option of removing parking requirements in front of stores to
encourage the development of stores that are more pedestrian-friendly.
Store developers must be held accountable to public-transit requests to make stores accessible.
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Institute for Public Administration
School of Public Policy & Administration
College of Arts & Sciences
University of Delaware
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