Growing a National Movement for Healthy Food Access

In 2009, PolicyLink, The Food Trust, and Reinvestment Fund joined together to launch a national campaign, with partners and stakeholders from across the country, to create a comprehensive federal response to inequitable access to healthy foods in rural and urban communities. Together, we worked alongside a diverse group of community and public stakeholders to raise public awareness and educate policymakers about this issue. This advocacy led to the launch of the federal Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) program in 2011 by the U.S. Departments of Treasury (through the CDFI Fund), Agriculture, and Health and Human Services.

In 2013, our three organizations launched the Healthy Food Access Portal to bring together the rapidly growing body of research, tools, and resources for healthy food access advocates, practitioners, and food system entrepreneurs. This site harnesses a vast array of data and resources to equip communities with the tools and information needed to successfully plan and implement equitable policies, programs, and projects, as well as to launch innovative food system businesses that improve access to healthy food in low-income communities and communities of color.

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing racial and economic equity by Lifting Up What Works®. Follow at @policylink and Facebook.

The Food Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission of making healthy food available to all. For over 25 years, The Food Trust has worked with neighborhoods, schools, grocers, farmers, and policymakers to develop a comprehensive approach that combines nutrition education and greater availability of affordable, healthy food. Follow at @thefoodtrust and Facebook.

Reinvestment Fund, a community development financial institution (CDFI), is a national leader in the financing of neighborhood revitalization. Beginning with the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative in 2004, Reinvestment Fund has taken a comprehensive approach to improving access to healthy, fresh food in low-income communities through the innovative use of capital and information. Follow at @reinvestfund and Facebook.

Acknowledgments 
The Healthy Food Access Portal is made possible through the Center for Healthy Food Access, a national collaborative effort launched by The Food Trust and supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that works to ensure that every child in the United States has access to nutritious, affordable food.