The city of Rochester has released a new plan laying out ways to improve food access, strengthen the local food economy, and build a more connected and equitable food system.
The Community Food System Plan includes an assessment of current conditions, sets goals, and includes several recommendations. They include incorporating urban agriculture into city code, enhancing the annual permit process for community gardens, and increasing use of SNAP and WIC benefits among eligible populations. It also seeks to explore incentives that would support retailers selling healthy foods.
"This plan provides a roadmap for government, community organizations, businesses, growers, institutions, and residents to work together to expand access to healthy food, strengthen our local food economy, and help create a food system that serves everyone,” Mayor Malik Evans said in a statement.
The plan also emphasizes the importance of partnerships among government, nonprofit and other organizations, businesses, communities, and individuals.
The full plan is available at cityofrochester.gov/FoodPlan.
