The City of Portland's Urban Food and Public Health - Assignment Example

Urban Food and Public Health The of Portland has been involved in comprehensive efforts that entail planning onhow to deal with food issues. Planners working for Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability have developed a food system aimed at supporting the production and distribution of food within the city. The main aim of the food system in Portland is to increase access to affordable and healthy food to all the residents of the city. In this paper, three different reports containing information about food related problems in Portland will be reviewed. These reports are the Portland Plan Background Report, the Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report, and the Urban Food Zoning Code Update Proposed Draft. This paper will discuss the relationship between the food related problems identified in these three reports, and explain how the proposed zoning code changes can address the identified food problems. There are several food related issues identified in the Portland Plan Background Report. One such problem is the fact that even though there is a lot of commitment about urban agriculture and food among Portlanders, the demand for food products and services is outstripping the current supply. The people of Portland believe that all people should have equal access to affordable and healthy food (Portland Plan Background Report 4). A lot of strategies are used to ensure that every resident of Portland can access affordable and healthy. Some of these strategies include backyard gardening, and backyard chicken rearing and movement. However, the problem of supply being outstripped by demand is still looming. The above food problem is related to the one identified in the Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report, which argues that accessibility to food has been hampered by the lack of understanding of complex socioeconomic factors, for example awareness, appropriateness, physical accessibility, and affordability (Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report 2). This problem is also related to the food problem identified in the Urban Food Zoning Code Update Proposed Draft. According to the Zoning Code Update (3), Portlanders are known to love food to such an extent that their demand for food supersedes its supply. That is why many residents of the city will shop at farmers’ markets so as to obtain affordable and fresh foods directly from the farmers. Many people are also known to join food buying clubs that will allow them to purchase food in bulk quantities at affordable rates. Others will support Community Supported Agricultural farms (CSAs), so as to access weekly deliveries of organic and fresh food. All these efforts are aimed at dealing with the high demand for food in Portland (Zoning Code Update 3). Another food related problem identified in the Portland Plan Background Report is the fact that there are very alarming rates of ‘Type 2 diabetes’ and obesity being experienced in Portland. The rising rates of diabetes and obesity in Portland are two of the greatest food related health challenges in the city (Portland Plan Background Report 4). This is a clear indication that the rate of food related health complications in Portland are headed in the wrong direction because the percentage of obese or overweight people in the population has been on a great increase over the years. The problems of diabetes and obesity have been attributed to the fact that people who can easily access healthy foods, and have limited access to unhealthy foods, have a tendency of consuming more vegetables and fruits. They therefore have improved overall health and nutrition. This is not the case in areas of Portland that are affected by poverty where there are very few farmers markets, community gardens, and grocery stores. The people from such areas hardly access healthy foods such as vegetables and fruits (Portland Plan Background Report 5). Others issues that have been identified in the Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report that are related to the health issues of diabetes and obesity include proximity, cultural appropriateness, selection, quality, and affordability, since they contribute to the difficulty in accessing healthy food products (Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report 2-4). For example, the lack of access to community gardens hampers the access to quality fruits and vegetables, thus reducing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, therefore increasing the chances of diabetes and obesity (Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report 4). The Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report has also identified environmental issues brought by food. One of these issues includes increased water utility as a result of food production, distribution and consumption. As a result of increased water utility, increased run-off can be experienced. There can also be increased rates of energy consumption arising from greenhouses that make use of light and heat during winter seasons to keep plants thriving. There are a lot of positive environmental impact that are brought about by the production, distribution and consumption of food in Portland. These include provision of good animal habitats, reduction of storm water run-offs, reduction of carbon emissions and cooling of urban environments (Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations Report 8). There are common food related problems that can be identified in the three articles that are under review. One such problem is that the city of Portland does not have comprehensive plan goal or policy to deal with food access and food systems. The food issues in Portland can be addressed by incorporating them into the planning processes of the city. The City of Portland can support various investment priorities, programs and support of policies that contribute to the expansion of food access, and the encouragement of healthy food choices (Portland Plan Background Report 5). Factors affecting the food system have also been discussed in the three articles. The importance of taking these factors into consideration when coming up with the Portland Plan has also been discussed. The reasons why food should be included in the Portland Plan process have been explained in the three reports. The three reports have collectively discussed the elements of sustainability in the food system. These elements have been identified as environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social and cultural sustainability (Portland Plan Background Report 5). The reports have identified common areas that are of top priority and need significance involvement in the food system. These areas include planning strategies for farmland development and preservation, using public transportation to promote food access, and including food destinations in mixed use development (Portland Plan Background Report 7). The proposed zoning code changes can be used to effectively address the food related problems identified above. The proposed zoning code changes can be used to increase access to affordable and healthy food. This is because the proposed zoning code changes will remove all zoning code barriers in the growing, selling and buying of food. The proposed zoning code changes also support food related supporting activities that can ensure food security in Portland neighborhoods (Zoning Code Update 3). Once zoning barriers have been removed, social service providers, governments, and other food stakeholders can be able to prioritize effective programs that will increase access to affordable and healthy food in diverse communities. The proposed zoning code changes can be used to regulate urban food production and distribution activities. However, the food related problems can be addressed by revising restrictive, unclear, and cumbersome regulations. A good example is the food membership distribution centers, which have not been adequately addressed in the zoning code. This has produced a lot of conflict with neighbors in various residential areas and zones. The proposed amendments to the zoning code seek to clarify and add clearer definitions for farmers markets, food membership distribution sites, community gardens, and market gardens. The amendments also allow for highly profitable market gardens. The proposed zoning code changes also encourage food buying clubs, CSAs, and farmers markets. All these factors contribute to providing stability to food production activities (Zoning Code Update 4). Works Cited City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. “Enhancing Portlanders’ Connection to Their Food and Community.” Urban Food Zoning Code Update Proposed Draft. Mar. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. “Portland Plan: Food Systems.” Portland Plan Background Report Dec. 14 2010. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Oregon Public Health Institute and City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. “Urban Food Zoning: Health, Environmental and Economic Considerations.” Urban Food Zoning Code Update Concept Report. July 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. Read More