Indicator PI.8.e Proportion of households within 1/2 mile of a farmer's market
Data Source
Location of farmers markets from San Francisco Department of Public Health, Food Systems Office.
Household data from Applied Geographic Solutions, Inc. Spring 2007 Update: Current Year Estimates. Methodology available at: http://www.appliedgeographic.com/library.html.
Map prepared by City and County of San Francisco, Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Section using ArcGIS software.
Table data is presented by planning neighborhood. While planning neighborhoods are larger geographic areas than census tracts, census tracts do not always lie completely within a planning neighborhood. SFDPH used ArcGIS software and a 'centroids within' methodology to convert census blocks to geographic mean center points. We then assigned census blocks to planning neighborhoods based on the spatial location of those geographic mean center points and calculated the planning neighborhood totals for the table. Detailed information regarding geographic units of analysis, their definitions, and their boundaries can be found in the HDMT at the following links:
http://www.thehdmt.org/etc/Geographic_Units_of_Analysis.September_2009.pdf
http://www.thehdmt.org/data_map_methods.php
Explanation and Limitations
Locations of farmers' markets were mapped with a 1/2 mile radius onto an ArcGIS base map illustrating household density by census block. All farmers' markets are available by public transportation. All markets accept food stamp/EBT cards as well as WIC and Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons. Not all farmers' markets have the same EBT purchasing equipment, therefore making it more inconvenient for some residents to use.
Based on an assessment of San Francisco's Farmers' Markets conducted by SF Food Systems, a successful farmers' market must have a suitable physical location, adequate community support, and secure financial support for start up costs. A successful farmers' market is one that is able to operate in a financially sustainable manner, without need for outside funding. Moreover, the locations must have ample space and adequate parking, be visible and accessible, and have cooperative weather. The community must be loyal, supportive toward small farmers, and united in determining the style and feel of the market.
According to the San Francisco Food Systems, farmers' markets are food retail outlets where farmers sell fresh produce to the public. Many times, farmers' markets also feature prepared foods such as breads, jams, honey, oils as well as other food products, such as fish and meat.
Farmers' markets increase the availability of fresh, seasonal, locally produced, high quality fruits and vegetables, which are key components of a healthy diet. Often, farmers' markets offer healthy foods that are cheaper and fresher than supermarket produce. At the same time, by selling their foods directly to the consumer (not through a third party store), farmers are able to receive a larger percentage of profits, sustaining their ability to continue farming. Finally, farmers' markets promote social interactions between community members, rural farmers, and urban residents. In addition to food vendors, farmers' markets often host local musicians and informational or community resource booths, furthering social interactions and community building.
Proximity to a farmer's market does not always equal access. Factors such as cost, hours and locations of farmers' markets, transportation to/from the market, dietary and cultural preferences, and publicity about the farmers" markets may impact access and utilization of the markets.
Why is this a Community Health Indicator?
Farmers' markets provide another source of community access to fresh, locally produced fruits, vegetables and other food products. This in turn may support recommended daily consumption of fruits and vegetables. Markets may be particularly important in areas poorly served by full service supermarkets.