Land Use & Planning - Fresno FPC

jFresno , CARipe for Change

Farmers Markets and Farm StandsCommunity and Planning Collaborations

Presenters: Edie Jessup, Central Calif. Regional Obesity Prevention Project (CCROPP)

and Sophia Pagoulatos, City of Fresno Planning Dept.CFSC 10/10/09

Food Policy Council Day

INTRODUCTIONContext, Collaboration, Co-creation

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CONTEXTWho we are…

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CA Food System

• Food system in CA :– CA has 36 m. eaters and will have 48 m. by 2030– 22,603 food stores (497 farmers markets)– 75,000 restaurants– 75,000 farms, over half of which are 1-49 ac– Gross value of ag food production $36.6 billion

(2007)-12.8% of the US total– Fresno County is the #1 Food Production Co.

in CA

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Public Health Trends

• 35.1% of children overweight in Fresno County; 63.3% Adults, 66.2% Seniors

• Overweight, obesity and inactivity are estimated to cost CA $28 billion during 2005

• Hunger: 35 – 39% of all households in Fresno County are food insecure

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Economic Trends

• CA farmers are losing money• More food is brought in from other states

than shipped out• Farm bill subsidizes commodity production

such as corn and soybeans in midwest • Average age of farmers is increasing; few

entering profession• Loss of agricultural land • Who will grow our food?

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Equity trends

• Low wages• Food access• Disproportionate

food related health problems in low income populations

Fresno, Ca: Community View• Few fresh Markets, closing of city Grocery

Stores in Low Income areas, lack of Grocery Stores in Rural towns-now with 40% unemployment.

• Fresno County leads in producing healthy, cheap food for the Nation and the World.

• Our Congressional district is the poorest in the USA.

• 2005 CFP Community Food Assessment

Fresno Food Scene: Strip Malls and Convenience Stores

Diverse and Poor

Very Rural Living

Very Urban Living

Community came together:New Partners

• Community Food Assessment• Central Ca. Regional Obesity Prevention

Project-Public Health-CSUF-CBOs-9 Counties

• Public Health Law and Policy invited to present on Zoning and Ordinances

• Building for Food Policy work – Closing the Food Gap-Mark Winne; Roots of Change

What we Learned• Fresno Ordinances actually prohibited

vending produce in residential and unclear in commercial neighborhoods. (No definitions) Few Farmers Markets due to CUP of $6,000.

• Public Health issues– Diverse, low income neighborhoods in Fresno

County: Highest Food Insecurity in California (CHIS study)-Highest ‘pockets of poverty’ (Brookings)

– Highest obesity rates (over 35%)– Highest death by diabetes

And we learned

Fresno City Planning Department had launched ‘Fresno Green’ and SEGA.

Land Use Planning Context

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Land use map

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Policy influences

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Policy Influences

• Regional Planning: Blueprint Process

• Model Conservation Easement Study

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Fresno GREEN Strategy

• Strategy 16: Promote the public health and environmental benefits of supporting locally grown and organic foods

Public Health

• Shift in focus

• Chronic, lifestyle related disease

• Health and the Built Environment

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COLLABORATIONHow we’ve worked together

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Farmers Market Zoning Change

• Facilitate Farmers Markets in Fresno

• Only 4 in Fresno; 12 in Sacramento; 9 in San Diego

Community Issues withZoning and Planning and

Policy Change

TAKES TIME…………

Fresh Access Community Alternatives ….

while you wait:

• Flea Markets• Supported Farmers Markets• School Farm Stands• Community Gardens

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Does a Farmers Market have to be a Certified Farmers Market?

Who are Farmers Markets For?

Story of the Flea Market as EBT Farmers Market

• Community Food Assessment• Policy and Approval for EBT

– USDA and the State– Distinct ‘Farmers Market’, Script, Vendor Agreement

• 1st in the Nation: Selma, Cherry Auction, Orosi

• Now Merced and more• Following up: Numbers, Promotion, Time

Cherry Auction and Selma Flea Markets

Market on the Fulton Mall

Downtown Fresno:

EOC Grant

Partners and Permits

Market Manager

Evolution of a Local Produce Movement: School Farm StandsProduce to where People already are and

Produce that is culturally appropriate.

• School Farm Stands (in Fresno) do not need City Permitting

Resources and Nutrition Education:Farm to School – School to Home

The New Consumer

The New Consumer’s Sister

Community SolutionsAccess to Local Produce

• Farm Stands: a solution to lack of fresh produce in low income neighborhoods

• Culturally accessible Produce acceptable by different cultural and ethnic groups.

• School Farm Stands (in Fresno) do not need City Permitting.

CO-CREATION What’s next?

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Local Government: Comprehensive Planning

• DOE Grant to “green” our zoning codes

• Plan the city’s last expansion: SEGA

SEGA Location

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SEGA Land Use Plan

• Innovative mixed use

• Neighborhood, community & regional centers

• Environmental outcomes

• Urban edge

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Urban Agriculture

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Next Policy work:Urban Ag-Community Gardens as

access to fresh produce

Ready for Change in Fresh Access

• Central Ca. Regional Obesity Prevention Project

• Roots of Change: Statewide policy on Sustainable Food Sheds: San Francisco, LA, Fresno NEXT! Urban-Rural Roundtable

• The California Endowment: Investing in place changes, for the next 10 years in Central/South Fresno

• California AGVISION 2030, Ca. Department of Agriculture

More next steps

• Urban-Rural Roundtable

• Food Policy Council

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Conclusions, Lessons Learned

• Partnerships are critical• Participation from all stakeholders

important• Public Health a broad frame for

consensus• Work with planning staff • Plan for short term and long term goals

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First Eaters/First Farmers

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Sources• White papers prepared by Eco Trust for Roots of

Change, 2004• UCLA Health Policy Brief, June 2007• APA Policy Guide on Community and Regional Food

Planning, May 2007• Fresno Green Strategy, April 2007• CA Center for Public Health Advocacy Website• www.ccropp.org• USDA Website• Fresno Farm Bureau Website• Calthorpe & Associates, SEGA graphics

Edie Jessup, Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Project (CCROPP)

Funded by

www.ccropp.org1625 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 106Fresno, Ca. 93710559-228-2145

Sophia Pagoulatos

www.fresno.gov