About the Portal

Run by The Food Trust, the Healthy Food Access Portal brings together the rapidly growing body of research, best practices, resources and policy information for community members, practitioners, advocates, entrepreneurs and others who are committed to ensuring that all communities have equitable access to healthy, quality, affordable food.

The Portal:

  • Provides a one-stop shop for a wide range of research and technical support tools created by dozens of organizations active in the food access sector
  • Highlights progress on the development of federal, state, and local Healthy Food Financing Initiative efforts
  • Lifts up successful stories and examples of policy and practice in action for policymakers, advocates and decision makers
  • Offers information and tools for advocates to learn about promising policy models, build advocacy skills, and connect with other advocates across the country
  • Offers resources and tools for food system entrepreneurs seeking to successfully plan, finance, and launch a range of healthy food business models — from grocery stores to food hubs to mobile markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Healthy Food Access Portal?

The Healthy Food Access Portal is a resource hub for data and information to support the successful planning and implementation of policies, programs, and projects for advocates, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders to improve access to healthy foods in low-income communities and communities of color.

Who runs the Healthy Food Access Portal?

The Healthy Food Access Portal was originally built in partnership with PolicyLink, Reinvestment Fund and The Food Trust, with PolicyLink leading the effort; the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation provided support for the creation of the site. The portal is now run by The Food Trust, a national nonprofit working to ensure delicious, nutritious food for all. Learn more about The Food Trust at thefoodtrust.org.

I want to get involved in the movement to increase access to healthy food. Where do I start?

Visit the “Tools for Advocates” section to learn more about how you can get involved. Joining our email network is a great place to start – you’ll automatically be signed up for a monthly newsletter that provides updates on healthy food access work happening around the country.

Where can I learn about the healthy food access landscape in my state and local community?

Our View Policy Efforts by State tool allows you see efforts happening to increase access to healthy food where you live.

I’m an entrepreneur. Where can I go to learn more about healthy food businesses?

The Launch a Business section details several different aspects of healthy food retail start up and sustainability, including Business Models, Creating Demand for Healthy Food, and Financing, among others.

I operate a healthy food retail business, but it’s hard to get customers to buy healthy food options. Does the portal have any tools for marketing healthy products?

The Creating Demand for Healthy Food section provides information on how to market fresh produce and other healthy food options to your customers.

What’s the best way to stay up to date with the Healthy Food Access Portal?

The Healthy Food Access email list serves as a central space to connect entrepreneurs, advocates, and other leaders across the nation who are invested in building a more equitable food system.

How do I suggest content changes or additions to the Portal?

Please email us at contact@thefoodtrust.org, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.