Discovering Nearby Food Places: Revitalizing Communities Through Local Food Systems

The quest for vibrant, healthy communities is increasingly intertwined with access to fresh, local food. Across the nation, towns and cities are recognizing the power of local food systems to not only nourish residents but also to invigorate economies, preserve vital landscapes, and foster community bonds. The Local Foods, Local Places (LFLP) program stands as a testament to this movement, empowering communities to cultivate thriving “Nearby Food Places” that serve as cornerstones of local revitalization.

The LFLP initiative, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides crucial planning assistance to communities seeking to strengthen their local food ecosystems. Born from the Livable Communities in Appalachia partnership, LFLP addresses the critical need to bolster economic prospects, safeguard rural lands, and enhance access to locally sourced food, particularly in underserved Appalachian regions and beyond. This program recognizes that fostering “nearby food places” is not merely about food access; it’s about holistic community development.

Through the LFLP program, numerous communities have transformed their vision of “nearby food places” into reality. Imagine downtown areas pulsating with life, anchored by year-round markets brimming with produce from local farms. Picture cooperative grocery stores breathing new life into quiet Main Streets, offering residents convenient access to healthy, local options. Envision community kitchens and food hubs acting as central nodes, connecting local farmers with consumers and fostering entrepreneurial opportunities. These are just a few examples of how LFLP empowers communities to create accessible and appealing “nearby food places”.

The program’s impact extends beyond mere infrastructure. LFLP projects often incorporate elements that enhance walkability and bike-friendliness, making it easier for residents to reach farmers markets, food co-ops, and local restaurants – their “nearby food places”. Schools are engaging students in hands-on learning experiences, connecting them with nature through food cultivation. Crucially, LFLP emphasizes equitable access, ensuring that healthy, local food reaches all families, including those utilizing SNAP benefits. Community gardens, strategically located in walkable and transit-accessible areas, further contribute to the tapestry of “nearby food places” within a community.

Since its inception in 2014, the LFLP program has extended its reach to 142 communities, forging partnerships across federal, state, regional, and local levels. This extensive network underscores the widespread recognition of the vital role “nearby food places” play in community well-being.

Applying for Assistance to Develop Nearby Food Places

For communities eager to cultivate their own “nearby food places”, the LFLP program offers a pathway to achieve their goals. While the application window for the 2024 round of funding has recently closed, it is anticipated that future opportunities will arise. Furthermore, EPA’s Superfund program is pioneering a new approach in 2024, supporting pilot LFLP workshops specifically in communities with Superfund sites, demonstrating the adaptability of the program to address diverse community needs in creating “nearby food places”.

For those interested in learning more about the application process and program details, the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) document provides comprehensive guidance. This resource is invaluable for communities considering how LFLP can help them establish and enhance their “nearby food places”.

Partner Communities: Showcasing Successful “Nearby Food Places”

The LFLP program’s success is best illustrated through the stories of its partner communities. To date, 142 communities, encompassing small cities, towns, unincorporated areas, and Tribal nations, have benefited from LFLP planning assistance, working towards creating and strengthening their “nearby food places”. The program prioritizes applicants who are in the early stages of developing local food enterprises and striving to build economically vibrant communities, recognizing the transformative potential of “nearby food places” in these contexts.

Community Stories: Inspiring Examples of “Nearby Food Places” in Action

To delve deeper into the tangible impact of LFLP, the Examples of Smart Growth Communities and Projects page offers a rich collection of case studies, podcasts, videos, and photo essays showcasing LFLP communities. These resources vividly portray how communities have leveraged LFLP assistance to create thriving “nearby food places” and achieve broader community development objectives.

Local Foods, Local Places Summit: Sharing Lessons on Building “Nearby Food Places”

In 2017, EPA and its federal partners convened representatives from 33 LFLP communities for a summit focused on sharing experiences and strategies related to local food and community development. The summary report, Lessons from Community Leaders on Using Local Foods to Revitalize Downtowns, encapsulates the valuable insights gleaned from this gathering. This report serves as a practical guide for communities, both within and outside the LFLP network, seeking to initiate and sustain local food and revitalization projects centered around “nearby food places”.

2024 Partner Communities: Expanding the Network of “Nearby Food Places”

In 2024, Local Foods, Local Places is collaborating with six new partner communities, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, to further expand the landscape of “nearby food places”. This collaborative effort is dedicated to developing robust local food systems that promote environmental stewardship, strengthen local economies, and advance sustainability goals. Notably, three of these communities are also participating in a groundbreaking pilot program through EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program, highlighting the innovative approaches being taken to cultivate “nearby food places” even in challenging environments.

The 2024 LFLP Partner Communities are:

The County of Braxton, West Virginia
Turner Station in Baltimore, Maryland
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Spring City, Tennessee
Ringgold, Georgia
The City of Wellston, Ohio

Further details can be found in the 2024 Press Release, which announces the partnerships aimed at increasing access to healthy foods and improving public health through the development of “nearby food places”.

2021 Partner Communities: Adapting to Change and Fostering “Nearby Food Places”

In 2021, Local Foods, Local Places extended its support to 13 partner communities. This program cycle demonstrated remarkable flexibility and adaptability, responding to the unique challenges communities faced amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these obstacles, these communities persevered in their efforts to strengthen and create “nearby food places”:

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)

More information is available in the press release: EPA Commits to Helping 13 Communities Revitalize Neighborhoods by Developing Local Food Systems, underscoring the link between “nearby food places” and community revitalization.

2020 Partner Communities: Building Resilience Through “Nearby Food Places”

Local Foods, Local Places collaborated with 16 partner communities in 2020, further expanding its network of communities focused on “nearby food places”. These communities demonstrated resilience and innovation in pursuing their local food system goals:

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)

The Summary Report on 2020 Communities provides a detailed overview of the projects these communities undertook to strengthen their “nearby food places”.

2019 Partner Communities: Cultivating Diverse “Nearby Food Places”

In 2019, Local Foods, Local Places partnered with 15 communities, each contributing to the diverse landscape of “nearby food places” across the country. These partnerships showcase the adaptability of the LFLP program to various community contexts:

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)

Further details can be found in the Summary Report on 2019 Communities, highlighting the innovative projects implemented to foster “nearby food places”.

2018 Partner Communities: Building Foundations for “Nearby Food Places”

Local Foods, Local Places supported 16 partner communities in 2018, helping them lay the groundwork for thriving “nearby food places”. These early initiatives played a crucial role in establishing sustainable local food systems:

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 foundational work in developing “nearby food places”.

2017 Partner Communities: Expanding the Reach of “Nearby Food Places”

In 2017, Local Foods, Local Places worked with 24 partner communities, significantly expanding its reach and impact on the development of “nearby food places” nationwide. This larger cohort of communities demonstrates the growing momentum behind the local food movement:

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 diverse approaches to creating “nearby food places”.

2016 Partner Communities: Pioneering “Nearby Food Places” in Diverse Settings

Local Foods, Local Places collaborated with 27 partner communities in 2016, pioneering the development of “nearby food places” in a wide array of community settings. This diverse group highlights the universal applicability of the LFLP model:

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 pioneering efforts in establishing “nearby food places”.

2015 Partner Communities: The Inaugural Year of “Nearby Food Places”

In its inaugural year, 2015, Local Foods, Local Places partnered with 26 communities, marking the beginning of a nationwide movement to strengthen “nearby food places”. These initial partnerships laid the foundation for the program’s continued growth and impact:

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 the program’s successful launch in fostering “nearby food places”.

Conclusion: The Enduring Impact of “Nearby Food Places”

The Local Foods, Local Places program demonstrates the transformative power of investing in local food systems. By fostering “nearby food places” – from farmers markets and community gardens to food hubs and cooperative grocery stores – communities are not only enhancing access to healthy, local food but also revitalizing their economies, strengthening social connections, and preserving their unique character. The stories of the 142 partner communities serve as an inspiration, showcasing the diverse and impactful ways in which “nearby food places” are building healthier, more vibrant, and more resilient communities across the United States.