What is the Healthy Food Access Portal?

The Healthy Food Access Portal is a resource hub for data and information to support the successful planning and implementation of policies, programs, and projects for advocates, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to improve access to healthy foods in low-income communities and communities of color.

Who runs the Healthy Food Access Portal?

The Healthy Food Access Portal is run by partners PolicyLink, The Food Trust, and Reinvestment Fund. It 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. Read more about each organization and our partnership here.

I want to get involved in the movement to increase access to healthy food. Where do I start?

Visit the Change Policy section to learn more about how you can get involved. Joining the Policy Network is a great place to start – you’ll automatically be signed up for a monthly newsletter that provides updates on healthy food access work happening around the country.

Where can I learn about the healthy food access landscape in my state and local community?

The Research Your Community tool is a great first step in exploring the food access landscape in your area. You can search by city, state, or zip code and layer different data sets to find what you’re looking for. The View Policy Efforts by State tools allow you see current efforts happening to increase access to healthy food where you live.

Where does the data come from for the Research Your Community mapping tool?

The Research Your Community tool is a widget run by PolicyMap. All data represented in the tool is from PolicyMap. Once you “add data” to your map, you can download a report from the tool with the button in the upper right hand corner. There, you’ll be able to find the precise source, such as “United States Census 2010.”

I’m an entrepreneur, where can I go to learn more about healthy food businesses?

The Launch a Business section details several different aspects of healthy food retail start up and sustainability, including Business Models, Creating Demand for Healthy Food, and Financing, among others.

I operate a healthy food retail business, but it’s hard to get customers to buy healthy food options. Does the portal have any tools for marketing the healthy products?

The Creating Demand for Healthy Food section provides information on how to market fresh produce and other healthy food options to your customers.

What’s the best way to stay up to date with the Healthy Food Access Portal?

The Healthy Food Access Policy Network serves as a central space to connect entrepreneurs, advocates, and other leaders across the nation who are invested in building a more equitable food system. Join the Policy Network to receive monthly newsletters regarding policy efforts, advocacy tips and resources, and to connect with a network of like-minded, passionate people. Connect with us on Facebook or on Twitter at @AccessFood.

I’m involved in healthy food access work and I’d like to share my work on healthyfoodaccess.org, who should I contact?

Please contact our team at [email protected] and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

I see information that is inaccurate/out of date for my organization or work. Who should I contact?

The portal is constantly changing and updating – please email us at [email protected] to request an update to site information.