Last Update: November 2020

Author: Physical Activity and Nutrition Program, Vermont Department of Health

DUE TO COVID-19, THERE IS NO HY1 2020 UPDATE FOR THIS PERFORMANCE MEASURE.

This performance measure documents the number of municipal projects (bi-annual count) currently being worked on to improve access to healthy food, as reported by Vermont Department of Health Offices of Local Health staff who support leaders in their communities to implement evidence based strategies toward that goal. Examples of projects being implemented:

• Food rescue project in Rutland that increases availability of local produce in food shelves
• Hunger councils being established in Hartford, Middlebury, Newport
• Food systems plan being updated in the Northeast Kingdom

• VDH district offices
• Local decision makers (select board members, town officials, public works, recreation and parks departments)
• Local residents and businesses
• Regional Planning Commissions
• Food shelves
• Schools
• Local food/Farm to Plate advocates

According to the CDC's Recommended Community Strategies to Prevent Obesity, environmental changes to improve access to healthy food are evidence based strategies for reducing rates of overweight and obesity. These strategies are among the most sustainable ways to make long term, population based impacts.

The Vermont Department of Health identified specific strategies for Vermont communities to implement to increase access to healthy food and provides assistance and resources to community leaders to help support their efforts.

These strategies are to establish:

• A local or regional food policy council,
• Procedures and practices to require that healthy food be offered at all municipal venues and events,
• Community farmers market(s) in underserved areas; ensure market is accessible to low income residents and accepts Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards (similar to a credit card – where monthly food assistance benefit amounts are added each month. Each time the card is used, account balances decrease accordingly. They can be used to get cash or buy food at authorized (by USDA) stores and farmers markets).
• Community garden(s) that are accessible to low-SES residents,
• Local Farm to Plate efforts, particularly regarding produce.

The Vermont Department of Health supports these efforts by providing leadership and expertise to communities on ways they can embed these strategies into planning and development projects, and by continuing to identify and share models that work in rural communities.