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GOAL 7:

ALL DALLAS’ COMMUNITIES HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY, LOCAL FOOD

Targets

50%, 75%, 100% OF THE POPULATION HAS ACCESS TO HEALTHY, AFFORDABLE FOOD BY 2030, 2040, AND 2050.*

 

INCREASE BY 20%, 50%, 75% THE ACREAGE OF URBAN GARDENS PRODUCING FOOD BY 2030, 2040, AND 2050.**

 

INCREASE BY 10%, 25%, 50% OR MORE RESTAURANTS, FARM STANDS, OR MARKETS SOURCING FROM LOCAL PRODUCERS BY 2030, 2040, AND 2050.

 Q4 Progress

Reported October 2024

Access to healthy food for vulnerable communities in southern and western Dallas is a significant challenge. It has been documented that over 36 percent of Dallas’ residents live in census tracts that meet the USDA definition for food deserts. Additionally, the food supply chain is heavily dependent upon food suppliers outside of Texas and the United States. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns and more frequent droughts may result in losses to crops and livestock, and could lead to supply chain issues and increased food insecurity. This is also an area with significant community concern. In FY 23-24, 11 actions from this sector, with 17 milestones will be initiated. Implementation of these new milestones will involve collaboration with the following City departments:​

  • Convention & Event Services

  • Economic Development

  • Environmental Quality & Sustainability

  • Procurement Services

 

Note: Actions marked as ongoing span multiple fiscal years, meaning efforts will be carried out continuously and therefore will not be marked complete until the end of this fiscal year.


Year Four Work Plan

COMPLETE: 15 Milestones
FA1: Increase access to information on sustainable agriculture, best practices, and the benefits of healthy and local foods.
  • Participate in the North Texas Food Policy Alliance
  • Continue "Grow With Us - Field Edition" to encourage greater communication and volunteer support for local farm enterprises
  • Convene Dallas Innercity Grower’s Summit
  • Implement actions to increase both access to local healthy food and local production
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FA2: Create a Food Advisory Council.
  • Meet with the Urban Ag Stakeholder Group on a regular basis to advise on the adoption and implementation of the Urban Agriculture Plan
​
FA3: Develop a Dallas Comprehensive Food and Urban Agriculture Plan.
  • Develop annual Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Implementation Work Plan
  • Implement FY24 Comprehensive Urban Agriculture Implementation Work Plan
​
FA4: Facilitate partnerships between schools and nonprofits to develop neighborhood-based growing initiatives and kitchen gardens in neighborhoods with low food access.
  • Continue to support Healthy Food Dallas Initiative
​
FA5: Support nonprofits solving food justice issues in Dallas with grant writing and developing creative financing options.
  • Initiate the Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program that provides community farm assistance to community gardens in historically disadvantaged communities
     
FA6: Partner with transportation organizations to identify creative transportation solutions to access healthy food retailers in neighborhoods with low food access.
  • Support existing programs related to transportation and food access
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FA8: Support the creation of food related green jobs in production, processing, storage, distribution, and waste management.
  • Support OEI's Growers Education & Workforce Development Grant Program as needed
​
FA13: Collaborate with organizations that are working to divert surplus food from grocery stores and markets to reach communities in need. 
  • Continue to identify food diversion organizations and host a roundtable to identify synergies and opportunities for city-sponsored collaboration
​
FA14: Adopt a special events ordinance that encourages procurement of locally sourced food, recycling of waste generated, and compost bins at special events.
  • Implement a pilot for responsible waste management at special events
  • Continue partnership with OEQS' Zero Waste program for the continued implementation of the pilot recycling program and incorporate language within Ordinance 42-A to encourage the participation in the program once established
  • Include education and separate waste collection streams as part of pilot 
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