+ East Baton Rouge Parish Food Access Policy Commission Presentation to Metro Council October 23rd, 2013

+ This started with stories … Ms. Angela Johnson, Resident of Scotlandville

+ Good things are happening … Distributing surplus fresh produce in Scotlandville. In 2013 so far … ,065 pounds of fresh fruit and produce distributed ,071 residents served. -- 1,123 volunteers! Plans to expand to Old South. Scotlandville Mobile Pantry Together Baton Rouge & Greater BR Food Bank

+ Good things are happening … Launched in May Bringing farm-fresh products from local farmers to food desert neighborhoods. Currently serving 4 locations Scotlandville Library Star Hill Church Delmont Service Center Mckinley Alumni Center Redstick Mobile Farmers Market BREADA

+ Good things are happening … 6 corner stores receiving grants up to $20,000. Grants help stores make improvements to stock fresh produce and meats. Targets zip codes 70802, and Healthy Corner Store Initiative EBR Redevelopment Authority Location of grant recipients

+ But we also need to address the root causes of food deserts … That’s the mission of the Food Access Policy Commission.

+ USDA definition A low income census tract where a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store. “Low-income” Census tract with at least 20% of residents below poverty OR median family income below 80% of area’s median family income. “Low-access” At least 500 people or 33% of the population resides one mile or more from a supermarket or large grocery store (10 miles for rural census tracts). What is a “food desert”?

+ Commission Mandate #1) Problem Analysis To examine the causes and consequences of food deserts in East Baton Rouge Parish. #2) Best Practice Analysis To analyze national best practices to attract retail and other high-quality food providers to low-income, low food- access communities. #3) Recommend Solutions To develop concrete policy and practice recommendations to address food deserts in East Baton Rouge Parish.

+ Commission Members Rev. Jesse Bilberry, Pastor, Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church; Moderator, 4 th District Baptist Association Mr. Chip Boyles, EBR Redevelopment Authority, Vice Pres of Admin & Programs Dr. Stephanie Broyles, Pennington Biomedical, Assistant Professor Dr. Adell Brown, Jr., Southern University AgCenter, Vice Chancellor for Research Mr. Edgar Cage, Together Baton Rouge, Food Access Team Co-chair Mr. Clint Caldwell, Supervalu Incorporated Mr. David Gray, Louisiana Budget Project, Policy Analyst Mr. Ty Harvison, Latter & Blum, Commercial Real Estate Mr. Ed Johnson, Wal-mart Dr. Kenneth Koonce, LSU Dean, College of Agriculture, LSU Agricultural Center Mr. Mike Manning, Greater BR Food Bank, President & CEO Mr. Jared Smith, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Director of Business Development Mr. Leroy Watts, Liberty Bank, Executive Vice President / CFO

+ Key Finding: Food deserts are a significant problem in East Baton Rouge Parish About 100,000 EBR residents live in food deserts, more than 20% of our population. National average is about 8%. About 25,000 food-desert residents in EBR are children.

+ Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical Areas within 1 mile of grocery store Low-income census tracts Locations of EBR Food Deserts

+ Key Finding: Food deserts have major negative effects on residents & neighborhoods #1) Strong correlation between food deserts and high obesity rates. -- But obesity is complex and depends on more than just access. #2) Residents in food deserts pay more for food. -- Costs at corner stores are from 7% to 25% higher than at grocery stores. #3) Lack of grocery stores has a strong downard pull on area economic development. -- Grocery stores are anchors and effect residential and commercial development.

+ Key Finding: EBR has different types of low food-access areas, which require distinct strategies Some areas have seen major population loss, e.g.: Old South Baton Rouge 1960 Population: 40, Population: 15, Population: 14,629 Here, low economic demand is likely cause of food desert. Addressing it will likely include heavy retail incentives, addressing low residential density or non grocery store options. Other areas have seen stable population, e.g.: Scotlandville 1960 Population: 24, Population: 24, Population: 23,393 Here, there is likely a market for a retail grocery store. Addressing food desert will likely include more aggressive retail recruitment (probably with some incentives).

+ Retail “BrandScore” Map Discount grocer model Key Finding: Market analysis shows retail potential in many food desert neighborhoods

+ Retail “BrandScore” Map Discount grocer model

+ Key Finding: Market analysis shows retail potential in many food desert neighborhoods

Key Finding: To seize these opportunities, our city- parish will need to development stronger retail attraction capacity targeted toward low-income communities.

+ Next Steps Analyze successful strategies across the country to address food deserts. Develop a preliminary set of recommendations for community engagement. Compile and deliver a final report with recommendations. Over next six months, Commission will:

+ QUESTIONS?