The wealthiest communities have two times as many supermarkets as low-income communities. According to the USDA, almost 30 million Americans live more than a mile from a supermarket. Many of these families lack adequate transportation and are forced to rely on convenience stores, often with very limited options. For example, in Detroit, 70 percent of SNAP (food stamp) retailers are local liquor stores, corner stores, or gas stations. When communities organize to advocate for a grocery store or supermarket, it is not just for the health benefits, or the economic investment, but to reverse an inequity.

The agricultural industry employs an estimated 2 million farm workers in the United States. Due to risks such as heat stroke, exposure to pesticides, and operating heavy machinery, farming and ranching is ranked as one of the top 10 most dangerous and difficult jobs in the U.S. It is also one of the lowest paid, with at least 30% of farm workers falling below the poverty line. Most farm workers lack access to traditional work and income supports like Medicaid, tax credits, and paid time-off, which bolster other low-wage workers. Advocates also note lack of job security, race and gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and underpayment or unpaid wages. Efforts to ensure fair treatment of workers and fair business practices can improve working conditions and family income levels for millions of men, women, and children.

Promising approaches that improve worker conditions and increase access to food exist at the local, regional, and national levels. In this section, we offer one case example of a promising approach, along with descriptions of other promising approaches for food donors interested in addressing rights and equity issues.

WHAT IS IT? It is estimated that almost 30 million Americans have limited access to supermarkets. Nonprofit organizations specializing in food access can serve important roles recruiting new grocers and supporting existing ones operating in underserved areas. Efforts include recruitment, technical assistance, and access to start-up capital or other loan and grant programs.

RATIONALE In addition to high development costs and other financial barriers, supermarket and grocery store operators may have difficulty identifying potential sites and/or may not have the expertise to navigate the various federal, state, and local funding sources available to support development in low-income areas. Grant and loan programs, as well as technical assistance, as provided by nonprofit organizations, can help operators overcome these barriers.

EXAMPLE UpLift Solutions (National); Healthy Food Access Portal (webbased resource).

THINGS TO CONSIDER In addition to providing access to affordable food, grocery stores create jobs, serve as retail anchors, and increase real estate values. Because access to healthy foods doesn’t ensure the purchase and consumption of them, donors interested in health may want to invest in complementary strategies such as cooking demonstrations, healthy food marketing, and in-store nutrition education.

PROMISING APPROACH

Support food and farm workers’ associations that advocate for higher wages, improved conditions, and/or rights

RELATED IMPACTS

• Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
• Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food

Support food labeling and consumer awareness with an eye toward social justice standards

• Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
• Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food

PROMISING APPROACH

Advocate for public policy change to support development of healthy food retail in underserved communities

RELATED IMPACTS

• Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
• Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
• Vibrant Communities: Foster Community Engagement, Support Local Economies

Help open and sustain grocery stores in low-access, low-income areas

• Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
• Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
• Vibrant Communities: Foster Community Engagement, Support Local Economies

Invest in community development finance organizations to expand foodrelated efforts (healthy food retail, mid-tier enterprises, food production)

• Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
• Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
• Vibrant Communities: Foster Community Engagement, Support Local Economies