Legal & Policy Strategies for Health Care & Food System Partners

How can cross-sector partnerships foster a just food system and support healthy communities?

What do health care systems, local governments, and community organizations need to consider when partnering to increase healthy food access for those who need it most?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity rates in the United States have risen to unprecedented levels, affecting not only individual health but health equity in our communities. To address health disparities, ChangeLab Solutions has developed a guide that supports on-the-ground staff in community organizations, health systems, and local governments in forming partnerships to promote equitable access to healthy food. Offering law and policy considerations alongside real-world case examples, this guide shows how partners can build more resilient and just food systems for the long term.

Legal & Policy Strategies for Health Care & Food System Partners presents a helpful framework for food system collaborations plus legal and policy considerations for three types of food system interventions:

• Addressing food insecurity for individuals through connections to nutrition assistance programs;
• Establishing a new business model in which institutions embrace healthier food purchasing choices; and
• Creating strategies to invest in local food production and retailers.

You can download the complete guide or choose specific sections that are most relevant to your food system goals.