November 12, 2015 A Coalition Approach to Improving Food Access Adam B. Becker, PhD, MPH Executive Director

CLOCC Overview Founded in 2002 by a pediatrician at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Currently a network of more than 3,000 individuals representing more than 1,200 organizations in Chicago, across Illinois, and throughout the US, with international connections as well. Guiding Frameworks and Philosophies: –Social ecological approach (addressing factors at multiple levels) –Health Equity (working with communities experiencing disparities, building capacity, connecting in culturally appropriate ways) –Strategy development (translating research into evidence-based practice for dissemination to partners Five Goals: –Build a network –Culturally appropriate interventions –Public education –Improving the science and practice of obesity –Sustained funding for prevention Primary functions are to build professional networks, disseminate best practices, and push strategies that are promising/evidence-based but under- (or not at all) implemented

Challenges and Opportunities for Non-Service Delivery Organizations in Improving Food Access No authority over venues where food is purchased, procured, or otherwise made available Lack business relationships with wholesalers, licensing entities, food assistance programs No resources to purchase land, space, food Lack the economic/business acumen to develop consumer-based food delivery mechanisms HOWEVER Possess health expertise to convince partners of the importance of food access work Maintain productive relationships with many organizations that DO have the resources and “bandwidth” described above Advocacy power to urge public and private entities to focus on and advance food access Have a vast network of community-based organizations focused or willing to focus on food access Strong linkages to national experts for models, research, resources, etc. 3

Strategies to Improve Food Access (i.e., what can I talk about?) Food and beverage vending –Machine –Mobile Healthy food production –Urban agriculture –Community gardens Healthy food and beverage retail –Farmers markets –Small, independent community stores –Restaurants Food system planning Consumer demand-building Best practice model dissemination Policy change and advocacy 4