East Baton Rouge Parish Food Access Policy Commission Launch & Orientation Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church February 14, 2013

Commission Mandate #1) Problem Analysis Examine the causes behind food deserts in East Baton Rouge Parish. #2) Best Practice Analysis Determine best practices around the nation for attracting retail and other high-quality food providers to food desert communities. #3) Recommend Solutions Develop concrete policy and practice recommendations for East Baton Rouge Parish to address food deserts and other areas with low food access.

Commission Members Rev. Jesse Bilberry, Pastor, Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church; Moderator, 4th District Baptist Association Mr. Chip Boyles, EBR Redevelopment Authority, Vice President of Administration & 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, Associated Grocers, Director of Business Development 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

What is a “food desert”? General an area with inadequate access to fresh, affordable foods needed to maintain a healthy diet. General definition

What is a “food desert”? “Low-income” “Low-access” A low income census tract where a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store. USDA definition “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).

USDA Data for EBR Parish (2010) About 75,500 EBR residents live in food deserts. USDA food desert census tracts 39% in poverty. 16,700 are children.

Pennington Data for EBR Parish (2012) Areas within 1 mile of grocery store As many as 103,000 EBR residents live in food deserts. Low-income census tracts 25,000 are children. Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

A closer look … Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

USDA Food deserts in EBR Parish MAYBE REMOVE THIS SLIDE & PUT NAMES/ARROWS on DETAILED ONE? Scotlandville Food Desert Scotlandville stats South BR stats Dixie stats North Forest / Red Oak stats Glen Oaks stats (with note) Glen Oaks Food Desert Dixie Food Desert North Forest / Red Oak Food Desert South Baton Rouge Food Desert

Scotlandville Food Desert Approximately 25,900 persons 6,500 children 34% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

Downtown/Old South Baton Rouge Approximately 15,700 persons 3,300 children 39% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

South Baton Rouge Food Desert Approximately 20,000 persons 3,300 children 41% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

Not sure what to call this one Approximately 11,900 persons 3,400 children 38% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

Glen Oaks? Approximately 14,400 persons 4,000 children 22% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

North Forest/Red Oaks Food Desert Approximately 9,000 persons 3,300 children 38% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

Coursey? Approximately 6,300 persons 1,500 children 24% living in poverty Katy Drazba, MPH & Stephanie Broyles, PhD; Pennington Biomedical

Work Plan: Schedule Timeline Chart

Phase 1: Problem Analysis Timeline: February & March 2013 KEY QUESTIONS Analysis of areas of low food access in East Baton Rouge Parish. What are the causes behind food deserts in East Baton Rouge Parish? What are the consequences for having food deserts? Other than food deserts, what other low-access problems are there? Why did previous food retail outlets (e.g. Food Town, Winn Dixie, Schwegmann's) close down? What are the barriers to development and expansion of high-quality food options?

Phase 2: Best practices analysis Timeline: April & May 2013 Goal: Identify, categorize and understand in detail model approaches across the country. Break different strategies into categories, such as: A) Attracting retail. B) Addressing demand in areas. C) Non-traditional options (food co-ops, farmer's markets, urban agriculture, etc.)

Phase 3: Solutions for EBR Parish Timeline: June – August 2013 Feasibility and cost assessments for various strategies. Public engagement around possible recommendations. Develop final report of recommendations.

Special Team: Market opportunity analysis Timeline: Starting at launch and throughout Conduct market analysis of all low food access areas. Conduct “gap analysis” to determine area leakage. Identify the areas with most market demand potential. Identify prospects for land or land acquisition. Work toward possible deals.

Forming Committees

Meeting Schedule