Issues
Healthy Food
Recent studies have shown that the average item of American food travels over 1,500 miles before consumption. Serious public health problems – such as obesity and diabetes – are increasingly linked to our current food system and its dependence on fertilizers, pesticides and long transportation routes for high-calorie, nutrient-poor, processed foods.
Just like the rest of the country, California’s food supply and distribution chains have become increasingly globalized and Californians are getting less of their food from locally-grown, healthy sources. Today, California has the opportunity to lead the way on reversing this trend – returning to a system where healthy foods are grown, prepared and consumed locally.
In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom has launched a variety of landmark food initiatives designed to increase healthy food awareness and the consumption of locally-grown, healthy foods in San Francisco’s schools and communities.
Fresh Produce for San Francisco Schools: In partnership with the local school district, Mayor Newsom helped open salad bars at 25 public school cafeterias. In addition to organic and locally-sourced vegetables, Mayor Newsom helped add fresh fruits and whole-grain breads and muffins to encourage healthy eating in San Francisco schools.
Shape Up San Francisco: Together with local hospitals and nonprofits, Mayor Newsom launched Shape Up San Francisco, a health initiative to address increasing levels of obesity by providing more opportunities for fitness and improved nutrition. The program includes an annual San Francisco Walking Challenge, the reopening of neighborhood farmer’s markets, investments in public school gardens and a Physical Activity Council to address issues of obesity and physical inactivity.
Victory Gardens: To increase the production of nutritious, locally-grown food in San Francisco, Mayor Newsom launched Victory Gardens 2008 which funded over 15 urban organic food gardens in San Francisco. The goal of the program is to create and grow an urban community of independent local-food producers.
Slow Food: San Francisco was host to the 2008 Slow Food Nation event where over 85,000 people gathered to learn about and promote a more sustainable and healthy American food system. Slow Food Nation’s Victory Garden in San Francisco’s Civic Center harvested and donated over 1,000 pounds of food to those with limited access to healthy organic produce through a partnership with the San Francisco Food Bank.
Regional Agricultural Cooperation: In 2008, Mayor Newsom convened the Urban-Rural Roundtable, bringing together state and regional agriculture leaders and food experts to further regional market development and food access plans for the city and its rural neighbors. Mayor Newsom believes that the Bay Area can be a model for all of California in localizing sustainable food distribution and giving all Californians access to quality food.
Join Our Policy Team: Gavin always says that the best plan is a better idea. If you would like to share your ideas and insights on how to reshape California's Healthy Food policy, please email us at issues@gavinnewsom.com.
