Priority 2: Promote access to high quality and affordable food

Icon_Food-Access_Reduced

Goal EJ4 is the second highest community-identified priority.
Policy EJ4.1: Encourage adequate food access to fresh and healthy foods for all residents, particularly those in underserved communities.

ID	Programs and Action Items	Activity
EJ4.A	Increasing Food Secutiry. Work with grocery stores and online food service delivery and meal providers to increase access to high-quality affordable and healthy food (e.g., reduced or waived delivery service fees). Encourage and support the acceptance of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), CalFresh, and other governmental food assistance programs that increase food security.	This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues.
EJ4.B	Food Assistance Outreach. Inform low-income households and people experiencing homelessness about food assistance programs through multilingual fliers, community events, information at shelters and food banks, as well as other appropriate outreach methods.	In 2024, the City's Housing Resource Guide highlighted food pantries/food assistance services and shelter services such as: Bread Basket, Brown Bag Program, and Samaritan House Pantry Mobile food programs such as Second Harvest of Silicon Valley (program is marketed to senior center attendees) and Peninsula Volunteers' Meals on Wheels Project WeHope Shelter and the Salvation Army Harbor House The Housing Resource Guide was distributed to RV dwellers regularly parked in the Bohannon Park area. The City also collaborates with the County of San Mateo Department of Housing and WeHope in coordinating food assistance programs for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
EJ4.C	Food Options at City Events. Encourage healthy food options, including vegan and vegetarian options, at municipal buildings and City-participating events. Encourage sourcing food from local small businesses.	The Menlo Park Senior Center operates Monday to Friday, morning to lunchtime, and is based at the Belle Haven Community Campus. The Senior Center lunch program provides nutritionally balanced meals prepared fresh on site. The meals are paired with health, recreation, dance, creative arts, educational programs, and opportunities for conversation, fun, and connection.
EJ4.D	Healthy Food Markets. Encourage and facilitate the establishment and operation of a farmer’s market(s), farm stands, ethnic markets, and mobile health food markets in underserved communities. Conduct widespread outreach and engagement to advertise these markets.	This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues.
EJ4.D.1	Action Item: At existing and future farmer’s markets, or similar events, offer free or subsidized space for vendors who provide healthy, fresh, and affordable food for underserved communities.	Farmer's market vendors participated at City events including the BHCC grand opening on May 18, 2024 and Juneteenth celebrations.
EJ4.E	Community Gardens. Encourage and simplify the process of developing community gardens within or adjacent to neighborhoods and housing development sites. Facilitate the creation or enhancement of one community garden within three years of Environmental Justice Element adoption.	MidPen's Oak Gardens, a 100% affordable residential development, located on the VA Campus includes a community garden for its residents. The City continues to encourage opportunities for these amenities for its residents and beyond.
EJ4.E.1	Action Item: Explore identifying unused City-owned property to support community gardens. Encourage community gardens as an amenity in required open space areas of new multifamily and mixed-use development projects.	The Belle Haven Community Garden is a service project of Menlo Park Rotary Club. Created in 2015, the garden is community-operated on land owned by the City of Menlo Park at Ivy and Market Streets, a short walk from Belle Haven Elementary school. Local residents may sign up (at no cost) to cultivate garden beds for one year at a time. Volunteers from the Rotary Club help gardeners with periodic maintenance and repairs, equipment, weed cleanups, and paying the water bill. Master Gardeners provide technical assistance during planting and harvest. Planning staff encourage applicants to consider community gardens as an amenity in required open space areas of new multifamily and mixed-use development projects.
EJ4.E.2	Action Item: Identify private properties suitable for community gardens on vacant or undeveloped lots, or other opportunities for community-supported agriculture within the community. Encourage community gardens as an amenity in required open space areas of new multifamily and mixed-use development projects.	This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues.
EJ4.E.3	Action Item: Facilitate the installation of community gardens at senior centers and senior housing facilities.	Container gardening for seniors is planned for the patios outside of the event/senior lunch space at the Belle Haven Community Campus.
EJ4.E.4	Action Item: Develop programs and encourage developments that make smaller planter boxes or garden beds accessible for apartment dwellers.	This item has not yet begun and evaluation for implementation continues.