Using Science to Guide Changes to the Minneapolis

“Staple Foods Ordinance”

Kristen Klingler and Cam Gordon City of Minneapolis

June 5, 2015

Original ordinance requirements

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Exemptions for:• “Specialty food stores”• Stores in the central commercial district• Gas stations under 300sf of total retail floor space

Policy assumptions• We value equity - “Fair and just opportunities and outcomes

for all people.”• We value health - “We are focused on the well-being of

people and our environment.”• Good health is important and government has a responsibility

to work to help improve it.• Good nutrition is critical for individual and community health.• Access to healthy food options matters.

– There is not equal access to healthy food in Minneapolis. Residents in some communities must shop at corner stores, gas stations, dollar stores and pharmacies where soda, chips and candy are abundant, but nutritious choices are limited.

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Research informed us• Limited access to healthy food

contributes to poor nutrition and health problems.

• Residents living near supermarkets have healthier diets and are 17% less likely to be obese.

• White and higher income residents are more likely to eat 5+ fruits and vegetables per day compared to lower income residents and people of color.

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Federal government changed the landscape• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

• Leapfrogged Minneapolis standards in 2010• Required stores to stock specific quantities and types of food

across 14 categories

• After that• For the first time in decades, the obesity rate in the United

States plateaued and started to drop.• Research found that diets of WIC recipients improved and

obesity declined.• Research found that access to a larger variety of healthy food in

corner and convenience stores improved.

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Partnership formed to guide City ordinance revisions• City Council Ward 2 office• Minneapolis Health Department• University of MN School of Public Health

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University research assistance

• Conducted assessments of at-risk stores to gather baseline compliance data

• Suggested revisions to draft ordinance language based on current food packaging and store stocking practices

• Assisted City staff in gathering community input; presented relevant research data and health trends at industry feedback meetings

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Community feedback gathered• New requirements based on WIC standards

but modified to reflect store owner input• Fewer required categories and more flexibility

allow stores to meet cultural food preferences and needs

• Significant support from community residents and organizations

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Ordinance revisions adopted in 2014• With broad-based community support,

including from corner store operators• With testimony from the lead University

researcher at the public hearing• Unanimously by the City Council

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Key ordinance changes

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Original 2008 ordinance Revised 2014 ordinance• Business Licensing determines store

status and monitors/enforces requirements

• Business Licensing determines store status; Health inspectors monitor/enforce requirements

• 4 required food categories • 10 required food categories

• Minimum # of varieties, but no minimum quantities

• Reasonable minimum # of varieties and quantities

• Vague quality standards • Improved quality standards

• Confusing exemption criteria that were difficult to apply consistently

• Clearer exemption criteria that exempt fewer stores

Implementation and enforcement• Ordinance changes effective April 1, 2015• Year 1: Education, training, and support for

stores; compliance checks with no enforcement

• Year 2: Ongoing education, training, and support; compliance checks with standard enforcement

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STaple food ORdinance Evaluation (STORE) Study• Objective evaluation of the impact on: • Food availability in stores• Customer perceptions and purchases• Store owner/manager perceptions• Healthy home food availability

• Principal Investigator: Melissa Laska, PhD, RD• With Caitlin Caspi, ScD; Lisa Harnack, DrPH; Darin Erickson,

PhD; Kristen Klingler, MPH, CHES and Jennifer Pelletier, MPH

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Ongoing City-University partnership

• Co-chair Staple Foods Ordinance Advisory Committee

• Mentor other cities interested in passing a similar ordinance

• Pilot test store inventory assessment protocols and data collection tools

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Cedar Food and Grill corner store