Across the United States, vibrant Food Places are emerging as cornerstones of community revitalization, thanks to innovative programs like Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP). This initiative empowers towns and cities to cultivate local food systems, protect green spaces, invigorate downtown areas, and expand economic prospects for local farmers and businesses. Crucially, LFLP enhances access to nutritious, locally sourced food, especially for underserved populations, making these food places hubs of health and community well-being.
The town of Williamson, West Virginia, exemplifies this transformation, leveraging a healthcare center and local food initiatives to spearhead a remarkable downtown resurgence centered around accessible food places.
Background of Local Foods, Local Places
Launched in 2014, the Local Foods, Local Places program is a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Its roots are in the Livable Communities in Appalachia partnership, which championed economic growth, conservation of rural lands, and increased availability of locally grown food within Appalachian communities. The program recognizes that thriving food places are essential for community health and economic vitality.
Through the LFLP program, communities have successfully developed various food places and initiatives, including:
- Year-round downtown markets: These markets showcase fresh produce and goods from local farmers, creating central food places for residents.
- Cooperative grocery stores: Planning and establishing co-op groceries and similar food access points to breathe new life into small-town main streets, offering crucial food places in underserved areas.
- Community kitchens and food hubs: Creating centralized facilities to aggregate, process, and market local foods, strengthening the infrastructure for local food places.
- Business incubators for food entrepreneurs: Supporting startups in the food sector within main street districts, fostering new and innovative food places.
- Improved access to farmers markets and local restaurants: Enhancing walkability and bike-friendly routes to connect people with local food places, promoting healthy and sustainable transportation.
- School gardens and nature connections: Educating schoolchildren about food cultivation, establishing school gardens as educational food places and fostering environmental awareness.
- SNAP access to healthy local food: Ensuring families can use SNAP benefits at farmers markets and other local food places, improving food security.
- Community gardens in accessible locations: Developing gardens in walkable and transit-accessible areas, creating green food places within communities.
Since its inception, the EPA, in collaboration with numerous federal, state, regional, and local partners, has extended assistance to 142 communities, fostering the growth of diverse and impactful food places.
Applying for Assistance to Develop Food Places
The application period for the 2024 round of Local Foods, Local Places, offered by the EPA and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), has recently closed. Separately, EPA’s Superfund program will also support pilot LFLP workshops in Superfund site communities in 2024, further expanding the reach of the program to create beneficial food places.
For detailed information about the program and application procedures, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document available on the EPA website.
Partner Communities and Examples of Food Places
To date, 142 communities, including small cities, towns, unincorporated areas, and Tribal communities, have benefited from Local Foods, Local Places planning assistance. These communities are actively shaping unique and valuable food places. In prior application cycles, priority was given to applicants in the early phases of local food enterprise development and those aiming to create vibrant local economies through food places and related initiatives.
Community Success Stories: Showcasing Diverse Food Places
Explore the Examples of Smart Growth Communities and Projects page for case studies, podcasts, videos, and photo essays highlighting LFLP communities and their successful food places. These stories offer inspiration and practical examples for developing your own community food places.
Local Foods, Local Places Summit: Sharing Knowledge about Food Places
In 2017, the EPA and its federal partners convened representatives from 33 partner communities to share their experiences, successes, and challenges in developing local food systems and community revitalization strategies centered around food places. The summary, Lessons from Community Leaders on Using Local Foods to Revitalize Downtowns, provides valuable insights for both LFLP communities and others seeking to initiate and sustain local food and revitalization projects that create thriving food places.
2024 Partner Communities: Future Food Places in Development
Local Foods, Local Places is collaborating with six partner communities in 2024, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, to develop local food systems that promote environmental protection, strengthen local economies, and advance sustainability goals through strategic food places development. Three of these communities are also participating in a pilot program via EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program.
- The County of Braxton, West Virginia
- Turner Station in Baltimore, Maryland
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Spring City, Tennessee
- Ringgold, Georgia
- The City of Wellston, Ohio
2021 Partner Communities: Adapting Food Places in Challenging Times
In 2021, Local Foods, Local Places supported 13 partner communities. This program cycle adapted to community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping them build resilient food places in the face of adversity.
- Chattanooga, Tennessee (Crabtree Farms)
- Culebra, Puerto Rico (Mujeres de Islas)
- East St. Louis, Illinois (University of Illinois, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, Danforth Plant Science Center)
- Fort Collins, Colorado (The Family Center/La Familia)
- Jefferson City, Missouri (Building Community Bridges)
- Jersey City, New Jersey (city of Jersey City)
- King County, Washington (Skyway Neighborhood)
- Las Vegas, Nevada (city of Las Vegas)
- New Bedford, Massachusetts (Southcoast Food Policy Council)
- Norfolk, Virginia (city of Norfolk)
- Sacramento, California (city of Sacramento)
- Tulsa, Oklahoma (Restoration Collective, Inc.)
- Wyandotte, Oklahoma (Wyandotte Nation)
2020 Partner Communities: Expanding the Reach of Food Places
Local Foods, Local Places worked with 16 partner communities in 2020, further expanding the network of thriving food places across the country.
- Cottage Grove, Oregon (city of Cottage Grove)
- Evansville, Indiana (city of Evansville)
- Fayette, Alabama (Fayette County Extension Office)
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Redevelopment Authority of the City of Harrisburg)
- Johnstown, Pennsylvania (Vision Together 2025)
- Kansas City, Missouri (Mattie Rhodes Center)
- North Lake Charles, Louisiana (SWLA Center for Health Services)
- Opelousas, Louisiana (Opelousas General Health System Foundation)
- Pelican Rapids, Minnesota (West Central Initiative)
- Poughkeepsie, New York (Hudson River Housing, Inc.)
- Redding, California (Healthy Shasta)
- Salisbury, North Carolina (city of Salisbury)
- Springfield, Illinois (city of Springfield)
- Vicksburg, Mississippi (Shape Up Mississippi)
- Woonsocket, Rhode Island (NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley)
- York, Nebraska (York County Development Corporation)
Read the Summary Report on 2020 Communities describing the projects these communities will undertake to create and enhance food places.
2019 Partner Communities: Innovative Food Places Taking Shape
In 2019, Local Foods, Local Places collaborated with 15 partner communities, supporting the development of diverse and innovative food places tailored to local needs.
- Aliquippa, Pennsylvania (City of Aliquippa Economic Development Corporation)
- Charlottesville, Virginia (Charlottesville Food Justice Network)
- Duluth, Minnesota (Ecolibrium3)
- Fort Pierce, Florida (city of Fort Pierce)
- Frankfort, Kentucky (city of Frankfort)
- Indianapolis, Indiana (Near East Area Renewal)
- Lewiston-Auburn, Maine (St. Mary’s Nutrition Center)
- Little Falls, Minnesota (Sprout MN)
- Malone, New York (Malone Chamber of Commerce)
- Mt. Pulaski, Illinois (Mt. Pulaski Economic Development and Planning Board)
- Peoria, Illinois (city of Peoria)
- Pulaski, Virginia (town of Pulaski)
- Russellville, Arkansas (city of Russellville)
- Saint Paul, Minnesota (Asian Economic Development Association)
- St. Albans City, Vermont (Northwest Healthy Roots Collaborative at Northwestern Medical Center)
Read the Summary Report on 2019 Communities detailing the projects these communities are implementing to establish and strengthen food places.
2018 Partner Communities: Building Foundations for Sustainable Food Places
Local Foods, Local Places partnered with 16 communities in 2018, helping them lay the groundwork for sustainable and impactful food places within their regions.
- Anadarko, Oklahoma (Delaware Nation)
- Anchorage, Alaska (Alaska Food Policy Council)
- Biddeford, Maine (Engine)
- Cortland, New York (Seven Valleys Health Coalition)
- Duck Hill, Mississippi (Action Communication and Education Reform)
- Elba, Alabama (Restoration154/Foundation154)
- Farmington, New Mexico (New Mexico State University)
- Helena, Arkansas (Helena-West Helena/Phillips County Port Authority)
- Hindman, Kentucky (Hindman Settlement School)
- Hopewell, Virginia (Hopewell Downtown Partnership)
- Indiana, Pennsylvania (Sustainable Economic Development Task Force of Indiana County)
- Louisville, Kentucky (Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District)
- McCrory, Arkansas (city of McCrory)
- North Charleston, South Carolina (Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities)
- Phoenix, Arizona (city of Phoenix)
- Silver City, New Mexico (The Volunteer Center of Grant County)
Learn more about the 2018 partner communities and their developing food places:
2017 Partner Communities: Cultivating Diverse Food Places Across America
In 2017, Local Foods, Local Places supported 24 partner communities, fostering a diverse array of food places across the American landscape.
- Alamosa, Colorado (Local Foods Coalition)
- Albany, Kentucky (The Clinton County Cooperative Extension Service)
- Albuquerque, New Mexico (DowntownABQ MainStreet Initiative)
- Appleton City, Missouri (West Central Missouri Community Action Agency)
- Bridgeport, Connecticut (Bridgeport Food Policy Council)
- Cincinnati, Ohio (Working in Neighborhoods)
- Coamo, Puerto Rico (municipality of Coamo)
- Detroit, Michigan (Detroit Public Schools)
- Graham, North Carolina (city of Graham)
- Greenwich, New York (Village of Greenwich)
- Harlan, Kentucky (Mountain Comprehensive Health Organization)
- Henderson, North Carolina (Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission)
- Holyoke, Massachusetts (Nuestras Raices)
- Hopkinsville, Kentucky (Christian County/Hopkinsville Development Corporation)
- Humboldt, Tennessee (Humboldt Chamber of Commerce)
- Jamestown, New York (Jamestown Renaissance Corporation)
- Lapwai, Idaho (Nez Perce Tribe)
- Martinsville, Virginia (city of Martinsville)
- McComb, Ohio (McComb Economic Development Organization)
- Nampa, Idaho (city of Nampa)
- Nogales, Arizona (Mariposa Community Health Center)
- Tallulah, Louisiana (Louisiana State University Agricultural Center)
- Ukiah, California (North Coast Opportunities)
- Whitesville, West Virginia (West Virginia Community Development Hub)
Learn more about the 2017 partner communities and their evolving food places:
2016 Partner Communities: Establishing Food Places as Community Anchors
Local Foods, Local Places worked with 27 partner communities in 2016, helping them establish food places as anchors for community development and economic growth.
- Baltimore, Maryland (Baltimore Public Markets Corporation)
- Bessemer, Alabama (city of Bessemer)
- Christiansburg, Virginia (city of Christiansburg)
- Connellsville, Pennsylvania (The Redevelopment Authority)
- Crisfield, Maryland (Somos Inc.)
- Dallas, Texas (city of Dallas)
- Denver, Colorado (city and county of Denver Office of Economic Development)
- Fresno, California (city of Fresno)
- Gainesville, Missouri (Ozark County Homegrown Food Projects)
- Gary, Indiana (city of Gary)
- Gloucester, Massachusetts (city of Gloucester)
- Greeley, Colorado (University of Northern Colorado)
- Henderson, Nevada (city of Henderson)
- High Point, North Carolina (city of High Point)
- Honolulu, Hawaii (Hawaii Community Development Authority)
- Jackson, Tennessee (city of Jackson)
- Keeseville, New York (Adirondack North County Association)
- Lake Village, Arkansas (city of Lake Village)
- Martin, Tennessee (city of Martin)
- Memphis, Tennessee (Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market)
- Middlesboro, Kentucky (Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc.)
- Mission, South Dakota (Rosebud Economic Development Corporation of the Sioux Tribe)
- Palmer, Alaska (Grow Palmer)
- Passaic, New Jersey (city of Passaic)
- Rainelle, West Virginia (The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation)
- Walterboro, South Carolina (The Colleton Museum and Farmers Market)
- Winder, Georgia (Winder Housing Authority)
Learn more about the 2016 partner communities and their foundational food places:
2015 Partner Communities: Pioneering the Development of Local Food Places
In its inaugural year, 2015, Local Foods, Local Places supported 26 partner communities, pioneering the development of local food places and setting the stage for future growth.
- Ajo, Arizona (Ajo Regional Food Partnership)
- Allentown, Pennsylvania (The Rodale Institute)
- Barbourville, Kentucky (city of Barbourville)
- Canton, New York (village of Canton)
- Clarksdale, Mississippi (Griot Arts Inc.)
- Fallon, Nevada (Churchill Economic Development Authority)
- Flippin, Arkansas (city of Flippin)
- Forest County, Pennsylvania
- Hazard, Kentucky (The Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky)
- Idabel, Oklahoma (The Choctaw Nation)
- Itta Bena, Mississippi (multiple partners)
- Jefferson City, Missouri (Downtown Jefferson City, Inc.)
- Lafayette, Louisiana (Lafayette Consolidated Government)
- Los Angeles, California (Youth Policy Institute)
- Loyal, Wisconsin (West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission)
- New Orleans, Louisiana (The Friends of Lafitte Corridor)
- North Little Rock, Arkansas (Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub)
- Osceola, Arkansas (city of Osceola)
- Rocky Mount, North Carolina (city of Rocky Mount)
- Tracy City, Tennessee (municipality of Tracy City)
- Tuskegee, Alabama (multiple partners)
- Unity, Maine (town of Unity)
- Vinton, Texas (village of Vinton)
- Wheeling, West Virginia (Grow Ohio Valley)
- Williamson, West Virginia (Williamson Health and Wellness Center)
- Youngstown, Ohio (Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation)
Learn more about the 2015 partner communities and their initial food place initiatives:
