San Francisco Grown urges commission to address food deserts and strengthen local food systems

During general public comment Jackie Lopez, representing San Francisco Grown, urged the Health Commission to focus on food security in neighborhoods she identified as food deserts, including Bayview and the Sunset. She said rising food costs and the affordability of ultra-processed foods contribute to public-health problems like obesity and diabetes in low-income populations.

"Food is social and cultural ... Food is part of public health," Lopez said, and she encouraged the commission to support partnerships that expand access to nutritious food, including cooperative food models and better use of farmers markets. She thanked the commission for past work supporting families during a government shutdown and called for renewed attention to gaps in access.

Commissioners agreed the topic merited follow-up; several asked staff to coordinate with other departments to clarify what the city currently does to enable farmers markets and where the department could contribute to mitigating food deserts. The commission asked staff to return with a plan or update at a future meeting.