Greater Philadelphia Food System Study

DVRPC recently completed a study that evaluates the Greater Philadelphia Food System. This study looks at a broad range of food supply issues, such as agricultural production trends, natural resource constraints, the origins and destinations of food imports and exports, and the significance of the food economy. For the purposes of this study, DVRPC defined the study area as a 100-Mile radius from a center point in downtown Philadelphia as the "foodshed" - the area in which Greater Philadelphia could theoretically source local food. Greater Philadelphia consists of DVRPC's nine-county planning area with a population of over 5.5 million people.

The year-long study revealed that, while the 100-Mile foodshed has a diversity of [diversified] farmers, its food supply cannot meet Greater Philadelphia's total demand for food. This supply and demand problem is exacerbated by the steady loss of viable farmland to a sprawling and inefficient land use pattern. Additionally, many Americans are eating highly processed convenience foods, which has led to a prevalence of diet-related diseases, hunger and "food insecurity" - not knowing when you will have your next meal.

On the positive side, the efforts to strengthen the regional food system are gaining momentum. Many stakeholders in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey are becoming more engaged in these issues and looking for opportunities to collaborate.

DVRPC built on the Greater Philadelphia Food System Study's findings to create a regional food system plan, entitled Eating Here: Greater Philadelphia's Food System Plan which will identify shared values and goals, key indicators, and recommendations for a more sustainable regional food system.