For a couple of different reasons, this was the mission where my motivation and momentum petered out.
Picking it up now, on the last day (not an uncommon phenomenon for me) we'll see how far I get.
I found a 4 year old report on Food Security in my hometown, commissioned by the previous Mayor:
http://oaklandfoodsystem.pbworks.com/It's a broad based survey, but the big picture conclusion appears to be that the major challenge is distribution. I live in a very fertile area, with many transportation systems for imports and exports and plenty of capital to justify the movement of goods.
However, there are large areas of town with minimal access to fresh produce, or even healthy staples of any kind. Areas where you can get eggs and milk and sugary juice at gas stations and liquor stores, but no broccoli or grains or even flour.
The major solution to this is constant attention from the city planners (the Mayor, the council, the business development bureau). In the years since the report was drafted, one major new local food market has been opened in the eastern/southern end of town, more are being recruited, along with three corporate groceries in areas that were already well served.
For my part, even though I the big name stores are more convenient for me, I make it a regular practice to shop further in the east, to support the stores out there. I'd like to find a place in the west end of town to, but I haven't yet.
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