“Healthy Food for All: Encouraging Grocery Investment in Colorado”
Too many Coloradoans lack sufficient access to fresh, nutritious food. There are too few supermarkets and grocery stores in many areas throughout Colorado, including numerous low-income neighborhoods in Denver. The resulting lack of nutritious, affordable food imposes a significant toll on many of our communities, and undermines the health and well-being of children and families.
For this reason, the Denver Department of Environmental Health Denver Healthy People Program convened the Denver Food Access Task Force to identify ways to improve the quality and amount of affordable and nutritious food in parts of Denver with the greatest need. The task force includes representatives of the state’s major grocers, economic development professionals and food security advocates. The group presents recommendations for public policies that will improve the availability of affordable and nutritious food in underserved regions through the development of new supermarkets and food stores.
Grocery store development not only promotes health, but also offers economic benefits bringing dollars and jobs to our neediest neighborhoods. Economic development, jobs and health—results we can reach together through healthy food retail development!
Task Force Recommendations Include:
- Improve systems within Denver City and County agencies to prioritize food retailing in underserved neighborhoods.
- Establish a public-private development and business financing program to encourage supermarkets to locate in underserved communities.
- Increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps.
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