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 commenced the Greater Philadelphia Food System Study, a comprehensive study that looks at the complicated regional food system that feeds Greater Philadelphia. The study, now 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.

Plan for a More Sustainable Food System

The Greater Philadelphia Food System Study is the first step in DVRPC efforts to envision a more sustainable food system for Greater Philadelphia. Starting in July 2009, DVRPC is undertaking a planning effort to identify recommendations and establish baseline indicators in order to measure the region's progress towards a more sustainable and resilient food system. A Food System Plan will be released by the fall of 2010.

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. The program is building on the investments already made in leadership, communications, and education with The Greater Philadelphia Food System Implementation Grant program. This program seeks to support innovative approaches that advance the overarching goals of the Food System Plan. The full Request for Proposals (RFP) is available here.

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.

Philadelphia Local Food Economy Leadership Awards

As part of a larger financial assistance initiative funded by the William Penn Foundation, DVRPC presented Local Food Economy Leadership Awards at its Celebration for Regional Excellence in May 2009, to recognize the pioneering efforts that have made the Greater Philadelphia region a leader in local food system efforts.

An important part of building a stronger regional food system is the choices individual citizens make everyday and our collective support of local food production.