Policy, Systems, & Environment Change

Projects Related to Food & Active Living in Worcester

Mass in Motion (MiM)Year 1 recapYear 2 activities and

accomplishments◦Winter walkability◦Access to outdoor recreation◦Incentives for food retailers◦Safe Routes to School◦Land use, transportation, public

health policy◦Other activities

MiM TransitionPartnership → Policy CouncilWinter walkabilityOutdoor accessMunicipal policy – new work

groups◦Improve pedestrian and bicycling

safety and connectivity → Active Transportation

◦Improve access to farm-fresh foods (mobile markets, FMs, CGs) → Urban Agriculture

MiM Policy PrioritiesFARM-FRESH FOOD

Healthy mobile markets Permits/licenses and incentivesCommunity gardens Conversion of blighted areas Land use plans and regulations to

promote, expand, protect potential sites

Municipal bonds to clean up, redevelop vacant land

Farmers’ markets Administration Financial incentives to market

operators Coupons and lower-income

incentives (EBT acceptance) Land use regulations

BIKE/PED SAFETY, CONNECTIVITY

Bicyclist and pedestrian safety Active transportation plans Complete streets Traffic calming Other safety measures Safe Routes to SchoolExpanded connections Connectivity policies for sidewalk

continuity, direct routes, connection to destinations

Open space policies encourage PA Urban design, land use plans Approaches - connectivity, access Active transit-oriented development Form-based zoningCommunity design to encourage

PA Street and sidewalk accessibility Design guidelines

MiM StakeholdersFARM-FRESH FOOD

Hunger-Free and Healthy Mosaic REC Community gardeners Greater Worcester Land Trust Division of Planning &

Regulatory Services Division of Economic

Development Mayor Worcester Public

Schools/School Nutrition Worcester Farmers’ Market UMass Med School

BIKE/PED SAFETY, CONNECTIVITY

Central Mass Regional Planning Comm DPWP Division of Economic Development Worcester Police Department UMMHC/Injury Prevention Center Promise Neighborhood Safe Routes To Schools (state) SRTS partner schools Greater Worcester Land Trust Mass Audubon Common Pathways Transportation WG Disabilities Commission School Committee Earn-A-Bike Pleasant St Neighborhood Network Center Columbus Park Neighborhood Association Worcester Roots UMMHC/Community Benefits Community Development Corporations

Act FRESH1. Pass the Comprehensive Land Use Reform

and Partnership Act (Senate Bill 1019 by Sen. Eldridge).

2. Pass Physical Education Legislation (Senate bill 216 by Sen. McGee).

3. Use Economic Development Resources to Improve Access to Healthy Food Stores.

4. Successfully Implement State & Federal Legislation on School Nutrition.

Urban AgricultureUrban Farming

◦Farming on tax-title properties◦Farming/Gardening as a permitted

use in zoning codeChicken-hen ordinance

Workplace WellnessCommunity Healthy Living Index

(CHLI)◦Family Health Center◦Worcester Public Schools◦YWCA◦Saint Vincent Hospital

Healthy DiningUtilizing Choice Architecture and

Simple Nutrition to Make Restaurants More Healthy for the Residents of Greater Worcester.

Designing a "WooFoods" rating system modeled on the LEED certification for green construction. In this system, there will be no "bad" ratings. Restaurants will either be certified at one level or another, or not be certified at all.

Grocery Store Task ForceMass. Grocery Store Access

ReportStatewide task force convened:

Tim Garvin of United Way represents Worcester

Looking at developing policy recommendations that will increase grocery store/corner store access in underserved areas.

Hunger-Free & HealthyImplementation of WPS Wellness

PolicyImplementation of School

Nutrition legislationThe Farm Bill