Food System Planning

Shaping the way we live, DVRPC builds consensus on a range of issues that include improving transportation, promoting smart growth, protecting the environment and enhancing the economy. Intersecting all of these is our regional food system - its production, distribution, processing and consumption. Greater Philadelphia has rich agricultural community, a diverse distribution and transportation network, and nationally recognized nonprofit and for-profit food system stakeholders. DVRPC's food system planning program aims to assist stakeholders in recognizing these advantages, and work to overcome the challenges to create a more sustainable and resilient food system.

DVRPC's food system planning efforts are detailed below.

Stakeholder Committee

DVRPC's Stakeholder Committee meets regularly to review food system issues in and around Philadelphia. Most meetings focus on DVRPC's food system planning efforts.

Greater Philadelphia Food System Study

In 2008 and 2009, DVRPC undertook the Greater Philadelphia Food System Study, a comprehensive study that looks at the complicated regional food system that feeds Greater Philadelphia. The study, available here, addresses a number of challenges and opportunities facing the food system, including: increased consumer interest in local food, land constraints and development pressures, the prevalence of both malnutrition and obesity, food distribution, and economic development.

Eating Here: Greater Philadelphia's Food System Plan

Eating Here: The Greater Philadelphia Food System Plan identifies shared values and goals, develops a set of indicators measuring key aspects of the food system, and provides 52 recommendations for a more robust, sustainable, secure, and equitable food system. A summary is available here.

Greater Philadelphia Food System Implementation Grants

The Local Food Economy Financial and Technical Assistance Program, made possible with generous funding from the William Penn Foundation and administered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, aims to strengthen the regional food system by increasing collaboration among organizations, across public and private sectors and developing more market-place opportunities. In 2010, grants were made to groups and organizations active throughout the region to support innovative approaches that advance the overarching goals of the Food System Plan.

Support Local Food Production

Numerous organizations in and around Greater Philadelphia are committed to connecting consumers to local food and educating the public on the importance of eating healthier. Information about these online resources is found here.

Local governments have a vital role to plan in improving their local food systems. Tools and resources for strengthening community food systems specific to local governments can be found in DVRPC's Municipal Implementation Tool #18: Food System Planning.