Report finds structural inequities in San Diego food systems, calls for change
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A new report by the San Diego Food Systems Alliance, expected to be released in January, calls for major changes to how food is produced and distributed across the county.
The findings suggest that many neighborhoods are disadvantaged by limited access to fresh, healthy food.
“Our goal here is to unite people behind cultivating a healthier, more sustainable, and more just food system,” said Alliance spokesperson Margaret Chiu.
Chiu suggests a significant solution would be less reliance on large corporate food system suppliers, and more access to locally farmed and sourced foods.
“We want better grocery stores. we want community gardens or we want access to places where we can grow our own food,” Chiu said.
She says the whole community benefits when it is easier to turn blighted properties into urban farming or community gardens.
The Alliance hopes to work with county and city leaders to make their suggestions into policy.
“I’m very hopeful that that will be the case with this study, that we will continue to have the political will to push it forward to make San Diego everything that we say that we are,” said San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe.