Council Adopts Comprehensive Package to Address Food Insecurity Citywide
Joint statement from Members of the Common Council: Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Alex Brower, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
Today, we adopted a legislative package aimed at eliminating food disparities across Milwaukee. Grocery stores have been leaving Milwaukee at an alarming rate, and food insecurity has worsened in these areas. It was imperative that we take action. Access to fresh, healthy foods is linked to better overall health outcomes, and residents deserve these options where they live.
Today, we adopted the following pieces of legislation to address this issue:
– Resolution directing the Department of City Development to work with the Milwaukee Health Department and any other relevant agencies to create strategies for the retention and attraction of full-service grocery stores and pharmacies. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Coggs.
– Resolution relating to the allocation of funds from the Large Impact Development Fund to the Department of City Development’s Commercial Revitalization Grants Program for a pilot grocery and pharmacy access program. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Stamper.
– Resolution relating to the expenditure of funds from the Grocery Store Retention Fund for the purpose of healthy food access. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Stamper.
– An ordinance relating to notice of closure for food establishments. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Pratt.
– Resolution declaring food apartheid a public health emergency and directing coordinated city action. Introduced by lead sponsor Ald. Stamper.
At its core, access to fresh food is not a luxury but a basic need. We still have more work to do on this front, but we want our residents to know we will continue to push forward to make healthy food accessible to everyone. We all deserve nothing less.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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