Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
On June 4, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), announced that Wellston, Ohio, along with five other communities, will receive technical assistance through the Local Foods, Local Places program. This initiative aims to develop local food systems to promote environmental protection, strengthen local economies, and further sustainability goals.
“Access to fresh, quality food is essential to good health, and supporting locally grown food options can help to reduce pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions,” said Vicki Arroyo, EPA Associate Administrator for Policy. “Our Local Foods, Local Places program provides technical assistance with proven strategies to help communities address their nutritional needs and economic development and environmental goals.”
Each community will focus on specific project planning goals:
- The City of Wellston, Ohio has proposed a centrally located downtown open-air market reutilizing a vacant city-owned lot.
- Braxton County, West Virginia is working with the town of Sutton to expand plans for its farmers market and transform a two-acre Main Street space.
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania plans to engage residents and stakeholders to reimagine the Carrick Neighborhood Farmers Market.
- Turner Station in Baltimore County, Maryland intends to create more opportunities for healthy food access through a Turner Station food access and aggregation plan.
- Spring City, Tennessee plans to improve access to local foods with new community gardens and a farmers’ market addressing priority health challenges such as obesity.
- Rabbit Valley Farmers Market in Ringgold, Georgia aims to improve community awareness about the market and related food programs on childhood health, nutrition education, improved food access and more.
In all six communities, EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization will convene federal, state, regional and local partners for two-day in-person workshops. This assistance aims to improve public health by increasing access to healthy foods for families while creating jobs and protecting the environment. The program emphasizes sustainable food systems and expands economic opportunity for local growers and value-added food processor entrepreneurs.
A pool of applicants from Appalachia was identified based on a long-standing relationship between EPA and ARC. “Increasing the availability of locally grown foods not only provides healthy options for the residents of our Appalachian communities but also spurs economic diversification across the region,” said Gayle Manchin, ARC Federal Co-Chair. “I’m heartened to know that ARC’s partnership with EPA will continue to support Appalachia’s longstanding agriculture industry and create new job opportunities.”
Three communities—Ringgold (Georgia), Wellston (Ohio), Turner Station (Maryland)—are also participating in an innovative pilot program through EPA’s Superfund Redevelopment Program. This program provides technical assistance for holistic planning at or near Superfund sites. It supports communities seeking increased healthy food access and overall revitalization near designated Superfund sites.
“Communities that have faced long-term impacts from local Superfund sites may be ideal candidates for participation in the Local Foods, Local Places program,” said Cliff Villa, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Land and Emergency Management. “These three pilot workshops will help communities learn how the program can help them provide healthy local foods and benefit the local economy.”
Since 2014, the Local Foods, Local Places program has provided assistance to 137 communities across the country.
EPA Region 5
The City of Wellston has proposed a centrally located downtown open-air market on a vacant city-owned lot that was originally an industrial site. The new market would improve residents’ access to healthy food options. It complements efforts such as developing complete streets and bike path networks supported by an Ohio Department of Transportation grant.
“This project will not only benefit the citizens of Wellston but potentially Jackson and Vinton Counties,” said Mindy Barry-Eisnaugle, Administrative Assistant for Wellston. “This will assist in our downtown revitalization efforts while providing healthier food options.”
