MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REALLY
INTERESTED IN EATING HEALTHY
FOODS, BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME
ACCESS. IT’S VERY ESSENTIAL TO HAVE
CORNER STORES THAT HAVE HEALTHY OPTIONS AVAILABLE AT
LOW PRICES TO THE COMMUNITY. I THINK WHAT’S LACKING IS
THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FOOD AND HOW TO ACCESS FOOD, HOW TO
GROW YOUR OWN FOOD. MINNESOTA IS AMONG THE WORST
STATES FOR ACCESS TO A GROCERY
STORE. EFFECTING MANY PLACES ACROSS
THE STATE. WHAT ARE INDIVIDUALS AND
ORGANIZATIONS DOING TO ELIMINATE FOOD DESERTS BY
PROVIDING FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD? I’M RANA KAMAL. THIS IS OUR
ISSUES TWIN CITIES. ♪ TEACHER: I LOVE TO SEE MY
FRIENDS SITTING ON THEIR BOTTOMS
WHILE THEY’RE EATING. I LOVE TO SEE MY FRIENDS
SITTING TUMMY TO THE TABLE. EVERY DAY, MISS TANYA PREPARES
HER PRESCHOOLERS FOR LUNCH. I LOVE TO SEE MY FRIENDS USING
THEIR VERY BEST MANNERS AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE A
NAPKIN IN FRONT OF THEM. THE SOON TO BE KINDERGARTENERS
SET THEIR LUNCH TABLES AND SERVE THEIR OWN FOOD. AT NEW HORIZON IN APPLE VALLEY, HEALTHY EATING IS TAUGHT AT
AN EARLY AGE. WE START IT IN THE INFANT
CLASSROOMS, SO THEY KIND OF ARE USED TO IT THROUGHOUT
THE WHOLE PROGRAM, AND I THINK IT REALLY HELPS
A LOT WHEN YOU COME TO THE
PRE-K ROOM AND THE SCHOOL AGE ROOM. DESIREE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE
CHILDCARE CENTER, SAYS THEY KICK OFF THEIR FARM
TO SCHOOL PROGRAM EVERY SUMMER. BASICALLY WE TRY TO HIGHLIGHT
A CERTAIN TYPE OF FOOD, EITHER A VEGETABLE OR A FRUIT, FOR
THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS, AND WE’LL USE IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS,
SO WE MIGHT HAVE CUT UP
STRAWBERRIES WITH BREAKFAST. WE MIGHT PAINT
WITH STRAWBERRIES FOR AN ART
PROJECT. WE MIGHT DO A BERRY TASTING.
WE TRY TO DEVELOP- TEACH CHILDREN A DIFFERENT WAY
OF USING THEIR FOOD, IN FUN WAYS. WE DO SONGS AND
THINGS LIKE THAT TOO. BUT, IN AN AGRICULTURAL STATE,
THE ACCESS TO FRESH AND HEALTHY
FOOD IS FAR FROM ABUNDANT. MIAH KNOWS THIS TO BE TRUE. SOMETHING THAT I’VE SEEN HERE
ON THE NORTH SIDE, THAT IS SIMILAR IN SOME WAYS, BUT A
LITTLE BIT MORE DENSE, IS THAT PEOPLE DO HAVE TO WALK, AND
THEY DO HAVE TO BUS TO GET TO
MANY PLACES. GROWING UP, MIAH AND HER FAMILY
MOVED OFTEN. MANY TIMES, THEY FOUND
THEMSELVES LIVING IN A FOOD
DESERT, OR WHAT SOME CALL A FOOD SWAMP. WHERE ACCESSIBILITY TO HEALTHY
FOOD IS LIMITED. HOW DID THAT EFFECT YOU, OR
EFFECT YOUR FAMILY? YEAH, IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING
TO LIVE IN CITIES LIKE BROOKLYN
CENTER, OR BROOKLYN PARK, OR EVEN
CHAMPLAIN AT TIMES; WHERE, IF THERE WAS A GROCERY
STORE, THERE WAS ONE GROCERY
STORE. IT WAS EITHER FESTIVAL FOODS,
OR IT WAS CUB FOODS, AND THAT
WAS IT. AND FOR THE SUBURBAN LIFE,
YOU’D THINK, OH THAT’S- YOU
KNOW, IT’S AN AMAZING LIFE. YOU KNOW,
THERE’S PLENTY OF ACCESS. THE AVERAGE MEDIAN INCOME IS
REALLY HIGH, BUT WHEN YOU ARE LIVING IN A
SUBURB, BUT YOUR CAR IS BROKEN
DOWN, YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY,
THE BUS SYSTEM ISN’T AS FLUID
AS YOU MIGHT SEE IN THE TWIN CITIES… YOU’RE EITHER
HAVING TO WALK, WHICH WE HAVE
DONE, OR BIKE, OR FIND A WAY TO GET TO
THE GROCERY STORE TO SPEND,
YOU KNOW, THE 3 DOLLARS OR 4 DOLLARS THAT
YOU FOUND HANGING AROUND IN
YOUR HOUSE. ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL RESERVE
BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS AND WILDER
RESEARCH, MINNESOTA RANKS 7TH WORST STATE
IN THE NATION, WITH NO GROCERIES
CLOSE TO THEIR HOMES. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
MINNESOTANS LIVE IN AREAS WHERE
THEY HAVE BOUNDED OR NO ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD. MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REALLY
INTERESTED IN EATING HEALTHY
FOODS, BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME
ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS IN
THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. KRISTEN IS THE SENIOR PUBLIC
HEALTH SPECIALIST AT THE
MINNEAPOLIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHERE SHE WORKED TO INCREASE THE
AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
OF HEALTHY FOOD IN SMALL, FOOD RETAIL STORES. ONE BEING, EASTSIDE COOP IN
NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS. SO HOW IMPORTANT ARE PLACES
LIKE THIS, EASTSIDE FOOD COOP? I THINK PLACES LIKE THE COOP
ARE CRITICAL AS FOOD SOURCES
WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PEOPLE NEED A PLACE THAT’S EASY
TO ACCESS, THAT’S AFFORDABLE,
THAT HAS A LOT OF VARIETY. AND THE COOP PROVIDES THOSE
THINGS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP OPENED
ITS DOORS IN 2003. WE JUST DID A 6.1 MILLION DOLLAR
EXPANSION. WHICH REALLY HAS GIVEN US THE
OPPORTUNITY- WE’RE SERVING
ABOUT 30% MORE OF OUR COMMUNITY. IN A COMMUNITY WITH VERY FEW
GROCERY STORES NEARBY, EASTSIDE
FOOD COOP IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING NATURAL, ORGANIC FOOD. WE’RE IN YEAR 2 NOW OF OFFERING
FRESH DEALS PROGRAMS. WHICH-
WE PAIRED UP WITH NCG, THE NATIONAL COOPS GROCERS.
AND SO WE ALL GO IN THERE, THEY KIND OF BID OUT ALL THOSE
BIGGER SALE ITEMS, SO WE’RE ABLE TO BRING- LIKE YOU CAN
KINDA SEE UP HERE. SO WE
ADVERTISE, WE’RE ONLY- NOT ALL THE COOPS DO THIS.
WE’RE ABLE TO GIVE LOWER PRICES
ON SOME OF THOSE STAPLES. SO APPLES, AND CHEESES, AND
MEATS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THAT GENERALLY ARE THE MOST
EXPENSIVE THINGS. KRISTEN’S EFFORTS LED TO THE
PASSAGE OF STAPLE FOOD
ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY, WHICH REQUIRES PLACES LIKE
GAS STATIONS, CORNER STORES,
PHARMACIES, DOLLAR STORES- TO SHELVE CERTAIN AMOUNT OF
NUTRITIOUS FOOD. HOW EFFECTIVE HAS THIS AMENDMENT
BEEN FOR THE COMMUNITY IN
MINNEAPOLIS? AS A RESULT OF THE STAPLE FOODS
ORDINANCE, THERE’S A MINIMUM
AMOUNT OF HEALTHY FOODS, THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN ALL TYPES
OF WHAT WE CALL LICENSED GROCERY
STORES. SO THAT CAN BE ANYTHING FROM A
FULL SERVICE GROCERY STORE, TO
A CORNER STORE, OR A GAS STATION, OR A PHARMACY. AND SO WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO RAISE
THE MINIMUM STOCKING
REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE STORES. STORES ACROSS THE CITY ARE
REQUIRED TO STOCK BASIC FOODS
SUCH AS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, WHOLE
GRAINS, EGGS, AND LOW FAT DAIRY. IT’S VERY ESSENTIAL TO HAVE
CORNER STORES THAT HAVE HEALTHY
OPTIONS AVAILABLE AT LOW PRICES TO THE COMMUNITY. ADAM, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF
BRIGHTSIDE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTORS, WORKS WITH OVER 30 CORNER STORES
ACROSS NORTH AND SOUTH
MINNEAPOLIS TO HELP SUPPLY THEM WITH FRESH
PRODUCE IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH
THE STAPLE FOOD ORDINANCE. A LOT OF THESE WHOLESALE PLACES
HAVE LIKE A $150 ORDER MINIMUM. AND IF YOU’RE A CORNER STORE,
I MEAN, I’M SURE THAT YOU COULD
IMAGINE HOW HARD IT WOULD BE TO SELL $150 WORTH OF PRODUCE
WITHIN A WEEK, WEEK AND A HALF BEFORE IT STARTS GOING BAD.
IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR MOST
OF THESE CORNER STORE OWNERS. AND SO
BRIGHTSIDE, WHERE WE PLAY OUR
ROLE, IS WE ACTUALLY GO TO THESE WHOLESALE
PLACES AND WE GET CASES OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. AND
WHAT WE’LL DO IS WE’LL TAKE THAT
TO THE STORES, WE’LL MAKE A SHOW BOX, THAT’LL HAVE
ONE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE. SO IT’LL BE A BUNCH OF BANANAS,
AND A TOMATO, AND A APPLE, AND LETTUCE… JUST REALLY ALMOST
ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN THINK OF. WHATEVER THE STORES ARE
DEMANDING, THAT’S WHAT WE TRY
TO GET OUR HANDS ON. FOR THE STORES, AND THE
COMMUNITY THAT, YOU KNOW, SHOPS
AT THOSE STORES. WHEN WE RETURN: HOW ONE
COMMUNITY IS USING FOOD AS A
TOOL FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL
CHANGE. ♪ ACROSS THE PLAIN FIELDS OF
MINNESOTA, YOU’LL FIND FARM LAND. PLENTY OF
FARM LAND. MANY IN RURAL PARTS OF
THE STATE. BUT THAT’S NOT THE ONLY PLACE
IN MINNESOTA YOU’LL FIND FARMS. I’VE BEEN GROWING FOOD IN MY
BACK YARD SINCE I WAS A LITTLE
KID. DARRELL OVERSEES THE COMMUNITY
BASED SAINT OLAF URBAN FARM SITE
IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS. HAS THERE BEEN MORE OF A DEMAND
FOR FRESH PRODUCE OVER THE
YEARS? OH YEAH, WITHOUT A DOUBT. I DON’T OFTEN AGREE WITH THE WAY
THE NORTH SIDE IS DESCRIBED,
SO… I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THERE’S PLENTY OF ACCESS
HERE. I THINK WHAT’S LACKING IS THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FOOD AND HOW
TO ACCESS FOOD, HOW TO GROW YOUR
OWN FOOD. IN A COMMUNITY WITH NEARLY
70 THOUSAND PEOPLE, NORTH MINNEAPOLIS HAS ONLY 2
GROCERY STORES, BUT AN ABUNDANT AMOUNT OF FAST
FOOD RESTAURANTS AND CORNER
STORES. THE SAINT OLAF FARM SITE SHARES
ITS GARDEN WITH VARIOUS NORTH
SIDE ORGANIZATIONS. WORKING TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY
WITH FRESH PRODUCE. ESPECIALLY LIKE THESE LARGER
DANDELION ROOTS, MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET- YEAH,
MAKE SURE YOU GET THEM DEEPER. REMEMBER MIAH? SHE’S NOW THE
NORTH SIDE FRESH COORDINATOR AND
POLICY MANAGER, WORKING WITH A COALITION OF
ORGANIZATIONS TOWARDS A MORE
SUSTAINABLE AND JUST FOOD SYSTEM IN NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS. ONE BEING APPETITE FOR CHANGE. THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST
COOPERATIVE COMMUNITY LEAD SITE
YOU MIGHT SEE ON THE NORTH SIDE WHERE YOU LITERALLY HAVE
DIFFERENT BUSINESSES AND
ORGANIZATIONS- ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND GROWING
TOGETHER. APPETITE FOR CHANGE PLAYS A KEY
ROLE IN THE COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT
ON THE NORTH SIDE, USING FOOD AS A VEHICLE FOR
SOCIAL CHANGE. URBAN AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF
THEIR CORE EFFORTS, WHERE
HUNDREDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO HELP GROW FRESH
PRODUCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY. GROWING UP IN NORTH, WHAT WAS
IT LIKE LIVING IN A COMMUNITY
WITH LITTLE TO NO ACCESS TO HEALTHY, FRESH
FOOD? I WOULD SAY IT EFFECTED ME
MORE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER BECAUSE I FELT LIKE WHEN I WAS
YOUNGER, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU’RE A
KID AN YOU JUST HAVE SUGAR YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW
WHAT IT’S REALLY DOING TO YOU. YOU JUST KNOW YOU LIKE IT. YOU
WANT MORE SUGAR. AND NOW THAT I’VE GOT OLDER I
FEEL LIKE IT’S SOMETHING THAT’S
KINDA HARD FOR ME TO- TO TRY TO SWITCH INSTEAD OF. SO I’M- IT’S NOT THAT I’M
ADDICTED TO SUGAR- -BUT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT YOU
GREW UP WITH. YEAH. SO IT’S KINDA HARD TO
JUST LET IT GO. TRY TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. GROWING UP IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS
THERE- WELL, PEOPLE SAY THERE’S
DISADVANTAGES, AND THEY SAY WE LIVE IN A FOOD
DESERT. WE DON’T LIVE IN A FOOD
DESERT BECAUSE THERE’S THINGS TO EAT.
WE JUST SHOULDN’T EAT EM. AND
THERE IS HEALTHIER OPTIONS. URBAN AGRICULTURE IS ONE OF
THEIR CORE EFFORTS, WHERE
YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE NORTH SIDE VOLUNTEER TO HELP GROW AND
DISTRIBUTE FRESH FOOD TO THEIR
COMMUNITY. SO HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO WORK
TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY? IF YOU DON’T WORK AS A COMMUNITY
IT’S LIKE… ONE THING THAT I
WAS ALWAYS TOLD: IF YOU NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU ON
THE MENU. SO HERE AT APPETITE
FOR CHANGE, WE LIKE TO GET PEOPLE AT THE
TABLE. NOT JUST ON THE MENU. SO WORKING AS A COMMUNITY IS
REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE, YOU
KNOW, EVERYBODY DON’T LIKE TO BE
INVOLVED AND STUFF, AND JUST
GETTING THEM OUT THERE SO THEY COULD HAVE THEY VOICE HEARD.
BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES OUR
VOICES IS THE ONES THAT’S ALWAYS
GETTING PUT DOWN. ♪ SO, TO GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT, A
GROUP OF YOUNG MINNEAPOLIS KIDS MADE A MUSIC VIDEO ABOUT FARMING
CALLED, “GROW FOOD”. TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO
BE MORE ACTIVE ABOUT THEIR FOOD
SOURCE. “A-F-C GOT PRODUCE
A-F-C ‘BOUT TO GO COOL, WE GON’ GROW FOOD
GROW FOOD A-F-C GOT PRODUCE
A-F-C ‘BOUT TO GO COOL COOL-
WHIPPIN’ IN THE KITCHEN
WHIPPIN’ IN THE KITCHEN ‘BOUT THAT HEALTH WEALTH, SOCIAL
CHANGE MY FRUITS AND VEGGIES BE OFF THE
CHAIN WANT REAL FOOD FOR REAL PEOPLE GONNA BREAK BREAD
CAFE RULE MONEY REAL MONEY
THAT’S ALL I NEED GET THE GREEN
BROCCOLI WANNA MAKE A HUNDRED MEALS
WE GON’ COOK A HUNDRED MEALS
CAUSE MY PEOPLE GOTTA EAT”♪ THE GROW FOOD VIDEO WAS A WAY
FOR US TO GET OUT THE NEWS ABOUT GROWING HEALTHY FOOD AND
EATING HEALTHY. WELL, WE DON’T REALLY LIKE TO
USE THE WORD HEALTHY CAUSE SOME KIDS ARE LIKE, I DON’T LIKE
HEALTHY, THAT’S BROCCOLI, THAT’S
BELL PEPPERS AND THINGS LIKE
THAT. IT’S REALLY YOUR COMFORT FOOD,
AND JUST EASING BACK INTO IT. THE GROW FOOD VIDEO WAS ANOTHER
WAY FOR US TO GET OUT THE NEWS
TO KIDS. BECAUSE, MUSIC VIDEOS, DRAKE,
HOTLINE BLING, THAT GOT OUT THE
TO SOME KIDS- OR LIKE, MUSIC VIDEO IS LIKE- THE MUSIC
GETS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD. AND
IT REPLAYS AND REPLAYS AND REPLAYS. AND- GROW FOOD,
GROW FOOD. CHOP IT UP, CHOP IT,
CHOP IT, CHOP IT, CHOP IT,
CHOP IT UP. THAT TELLS THOSE KIDS THAT THEY
CAN GROW THEIR OWN FOOD. THE FRESH PRODUCE GROWN ON THE
URBAN FARMS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO
PLACES LIKE CORNER STORES, AND RESTAURANTS IN THE
COMMUNITY. APPETITE FOR CHANGE BECAUSE OF
THE FACILITY THAT THEY HAVE WITH
THEIR CAFE AND THEIR KINDRED KITCHEN CAFETERIA, GIVE
US A PLACE WHERE WE CAN TAKE THE
FOOD, AGREGATE IT, CLEAN IT, BUNDLE IT. SO THAT WE THEN CAN
PROVIDE IT TO BOTH THE CAFE, AND TO CORNER STORES AND OTHER
VENDORS. SO WHETHER IT’S HAVING GREEN
GARDEN BAKERY’S BAKED GOODS IN
THE STORE, OR PROJECT SWEETIE PIE, OR YOUTH FARM, OR
APPETITE FOR CHANGE’S PRODUCE IN
NORTH MARKET, OR THE COOP IN THE PRODUCE SECTION, REALLY
BEING ABLE TO USE THE NORTH SIDE
FRESH COALITION AS A VEHICLE FOR US ALL TO MOVE TOWARDS
CREATING A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR
YOUTH; A BETTER LIFE FOR OUR ELDERS AND
THOSE THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN THE
COMMUNITY, TOGETHER. IS THIS THE KEY TO ELIMINATING
SO CALLED FOOD DESERTS? IS THIS THE KEY? YES! THIS IS
ONE OF THE KEYS, THERE’S
MULTIPLE KEYS, BUT THIS IS ONE OF THEM. CAUSE
ONCE YOU LEARN HOW TO GROW
YOUR OWN FOOD AND TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FOOD,
LIKE… WE AIN’T GONNA BE
NEEDING THE PLACES THAT THEY HAVE FOR US NO MORE, LIKE-
ONE QUESTION THAT ALWAYS GET
ASKED OF US: IS THE FOOD THAT’S HERE HERE
BECAUSE WE EAT IT, OR DO WE EAT
IT BECAUSE IT’S HERE? AND FOR ME I THINK WE EAT IT
JUST BECAUSE IT’S HERE. WHEN YOU JUST LIVE IN NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS, AND YOU NEVER WENT
ANYWHERE ELSE, IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT WE
KNOW. AND WHEN YOU START TO
LEARN ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS, AND EXPAND YOUR MIND, YOU START
TO LEARN THAT THERE’S- I NEVER
KNEW WHAT A COOP WAS. NEVER BEEN TO A COOP. ALL I KNEW
OF WAS CUB FOODS AND SOLO. AND
NOW, I KNOW ABOUT SEWARD, I KNOW
ABOUT THE WEDGE… THE NORTH
MARKET, NORTH COOP. LIKE, I KNOW ABOUT THAT STUFF
AND I KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE IN
THERE AND LIKE, JUST LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT
WE DO HAVE OTHER OPTIONS AND WE
DON’T JUST HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE FOODS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT
HERE ON THIS BLOCK. UP NEXT ON OUR ISSUES TWIN
CITIES: THE FIRST FULL SERVICE GROCERY
STORE IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS TO
OPEN IN MORE THAN 10 YEARS. ♪ FOOD DESERTS CAN BE FOUND ALL
OVER THE STATE. THE MOST IMPACTED AREAS ARE IN
LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. WE HAVE PICKUPS EVERY DAY, SO
THAT WE’RE ABLE TO MINIMIZE ALL
THAT WASTE OF REALLY GOOD HEALTHY PRODUCE, AND FRESH FOOD. AND GET THEM
OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. EASTSIDE COOP HAS BEEN PROVIDING
FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD IN NORHTEAST
MINNEAPOLIS SINCE 2003. HOW VITAL IS IT THAT EVERYONE,
AND I MEAN EVERYONE, HAS ACCESS
TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOOD? I MEAN, I DON’T KNOW WHAT WOULD-
IT’S… THAT’S- THAT’S THE HUMAN
SIDE OF IT, REALLY. I MEAN, I DON’T KNOW HOW TO
SEPARATE… YOU KNOW- FOOD, BEING ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS
TO FOOD IS REALLY TIED IN WITH
SOCIAL JUSTICE IN EVERY WAY. AND NOW, A NEARBY COMMUNITY
PLANS TO DO THE SAME. THE NORTH MARKET. A FULL SERVICE
GROCERY STORE IS EXPECTED TO
OPEN THIS FALL. IT WILL BE THE FIRST FULL
SERVICE GROCERY STORE IN NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS TO OPEN IN MORE THAN 10 YEARS. THIS IS NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, AND
THIS IS WHERE WE’RE AT. THE NORTH MARKET SITE. THERE IN
THE 2 MILE RADIUS WE DO NOT HAVE
ANY GROCERY STORES IN THE AREA. VENAN IS PILLSBURY UNITED
COMMUNITY’S DIRECTOR OF DESIGN
AND INNOVATION. WE KNOW ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY
GROCERY STORES TEND TO BE THE
HUB OF A COMMUNITY. USUALLY, YOU HAVE A GROCERY
STORE AND YOU SEE BUSINESSES
PROP UP AROUND IT. AND SO WE KNOW THAT GROCERY
STORES CAN DO THAT, AND OUR
YOU KNOW, OUR LONG TERM GOAL IS TO SEE THAT THING HAPPENING. VENAN SAYS NORTH MARKET WILL
BE UNLIKE ANY STANDARD GROCERY. ALONG WITH ITS OFFERING OF FRESH
PRODUCE, THE ANTICIPATED GROCERY
STORE WILL HAVE A WELLNESS CENTER, OFFER COOKING
CLASSES, AND HEALTH SERVICES. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT WILL
CREATE JOBS FOR THE COMMUNITY. WHAT WILL NORTH MARKET OFFER TO
THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, THAT HAS BEEN
FAR TOO UNDERSERVED? WELL I WILL SAY, THE FIRST THING
THAT WE ARE GOING TO OFFER IS AFFORDABLE FOOD, THAT WILL BE
FRESH. WE ARE WORKING WITH A LOT OF
LOCAL- WE WANT TO WORK WITH
LOCAL FARMERS, WE WANT TO ALSO WORK WITH THE LARGER
DISTRIBUTORS TO BRING FRESH
PRODUCE AND MEAT INTO THE COMMUNITY. THAT IS OUR
NUMBER 1 OFFERING. OUR SECOND OFFERING IS THAT WE
ARE GOING TO OFFER THE COMMUNITY A PLACE THAT THEY CAN BE
PROUD OF, THAT THEY CAN SHOP AT. THEY WILL
KNOW THAT THIS STORE WAS BUILT
BASED ON THEIR FEEDBACK, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WE DID A
LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THEY WILL KNOW, THEY WILL SEE
PARTS OF THE STORE, PARTS OF THE
BUSINESS THAT HAVE THEIR INPUT. THEY
COULD ACTUALLY POINT OUT TO YOU. AND THEY WILL- WE WILL BE HIRING
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA. AND SO THE STORE WILL HAVE THAT
FEEL OF LIKE, THIS FEELS RIGHT.
THIS FEELS LIKE NORTH
MINNEAPOLIS. THE NORTH MARKET PROJECT HAS
BEEN UNDERWAY FOR MORE THAN 2
AND A HALF YEARS. RECEIVING GRANTS THROUGH
PROGRAMS LIKE GOOD FOOD ACCESS. NORTH MARKET IS A GREAT EXAMPLE.
FIRST OF HAVING COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME. TO
UNDERSTAND WHAT TYPE OF A
GROCERY STORE PEOPLE WANTED TO SEE. AND BEYOND
JUST A STORE, WHAT OTHER
SERVICES WOULD MAKE IT FEEL LIKE BASICALLY, A PART OF
THE COMMUNITY. RUN BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE, GOOD FOOD ACCESS ASSISTS GROCERY
STORES AND SMALL FOOD RETAILERS WITH LOANS, GRANTS, AND
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP
EXISTING OR NEW VENTURES PROVIDE HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE
FOODS. LEAH IS THE CAMPAIGN MANAGER. IN WHAT WAYS IS GOOD FOOD ACCESS
AIMING TO BOOST LOCAL ECONOMIES,
CREATE JOBS, GENERATE TAX REVENUE TO
COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST? WE KNOW THAT GROCERIES- WHETHER
IT’S A GROCERY STORE, OR A
CORNER STORE, A FARMER’S MARKET, ANY RETAIL
SOLUTION ON FOOD, THAT IS A DRIVING FORCE NOT ONLY
FOR PEOPLES’ IMMEDIATE NEEDS, BUT ALSO FOR THE ECONOMIC
VITALITY OF THOSE SAME
COMMUNITIES. SO, WHEN WE BRING IN A STORE,
WHEN WE CAN SUPPORT THE
RESOURCES TO HAVE A STORE, THEN THAT HELPS PEOPLE- LOCAL
RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE
JOBS. FARMERS AND GROWERS OF FOOD
HAVE ACCESS TO REVENUE FOR WHAT
THEY’RE DOING, AND THAT TENDS TO HAVE A RIPPLE
EFFECT INTO OTHER ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION. SO IF PEOPLE ARE
GOING SOMEPLACE FOR THEIR FOOD
EVERY WEEK, THEN, THAT’S ALSO WHERE THEY’LL
DO OTHER, OTHER SHOPPING, AND
YOU KNOW, MORE OF THOSE RESOURCES STAYING IN A
COMMUNITY- IF YOU HAVE THAT
FOUNDATION. THE GOOD FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM
WILL BE SEEKING A 10 MILLION
ANNUAL APPROPRIATION IN THE 2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR HEALTHY
FOOD ACCESS SOLUTIONS AROUND THE
STATE. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT IN
COMBATTING FOOD DESERTS
ACROSS THE STATE? WE’RE ASKING THE STATE TO MAKE
AN INVESTMENT IN THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IT’S- IT
MAKES SENSE FOR THE STATE TO
INVEST IN SOLUTIONS, AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO FOOD,
AS OPPOSED TO PAYING FOR
HEALTHCARE COSTS RELATED TO CHRONIC DISEASES THAT, YOU KNOW,
ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE, BECAUSE OF THE FOOD ACCESS CHALLENGES
THAT PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING. SO WE WANT THE STATE INSTEAD
TO HELP LOCAL FARMERS, TO HELP, ENTREPRENEURS, AND TO HELP
PEOPLE WHO WANT ACCESS TO FOOD
BY PROVIDING GRANTS, LOANS, AND TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE GOOD FOOD
ACCESS PROGRAM. THAT CAN SUPPORT LOCALLY DRIVEN
SOLUTIONS. IT COULD BE A GROCERY
STORE, A CORNER STORE, A FARMER’S
MARKET, YOU KNOW, ANY RANGE OF SOLUTIONS TO MAKE SURE
PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO FIND
HEALTHY AFFORDABLE FOOD. I’M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT
FIRST CUSTOMER, MAKING THEIR
FIRST PURCHASE, SMILING AND SAY- YOU KNOW, JUST
BEING REALLY HAPPY THAT WE ARE HERE. WE ARE HERE
TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY. WITH MUCH ANTICIPATION, NORTH
MARKET IS EXPECTED TO OPEN ITS
DOORS THIS COMING NOVEMBER. AND BECAUSE MINNESOTA IS AMONG
THE WORST STATES WITH ACCESS TO
HEALTHY FOOD, COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE
ARE WORKING HARD TO CHANGE THAT. NEW HORIZON ACADEMY IN APPLE
VALLEY BELIEVES HEALTHY EATING
SHOULD BE TAUGHT AT AN EARLY AGE. HOW DOES PROMOTING HEALTHY FOOD
AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE SET THEM UP
FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES? I THINK ONCE YOU GROW UP EATING
HEALTHY FOOD, YOU WANT IT. YOU
KIND OF CRAVE IT. EVERY DAY THE CHILDREN EAT FRESH
FOOD FROM THE CENTER’S GARDEN. AND BEFORE THE HUNGRY SCHOOL
AGERS CAN DIG IN, THEY MAKE A
WISH. CHILDREN IN UNISON:
WE WISH FOR THE PEACE, FOOD,
AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL THE CHILDREN IN THE
WORLD. BLESS YOUR TEACHERS AND COOKS,
AND YOU MAY EAT. THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME
THIS WEEK ON OUR ISSUES TWIN
CITIES. I’M RANA KAMAL. SEE YOU NEXT
TIME. ♪