Resource Library
Browse 100+ resources on food systems law and policy.
Farm to School Policy Case Study: Arizona H.B. 2518
School gardens provide a valuable opportunity to incorporate fresh produce into school means and allow students to eat what they grow, but some areas prohibit the use of school garden produce in school cafeterias due to food safety restrictions. This is where state-level policies can step in to provide support. This case study, authored by VLGS alum Raina Goldstein Bunnag MFALP’24 and developed in partnership with National Farm to School Network, tells the story of Arizona’s law H.B. 2518, which established a statewide food safety certification program for school gardens and made it possible for Arizona schools to serve their own garden-grown produce.
Topic: Business Practices, Farmers Markets Audience: Farmers MarketsTraining Market Managers to Develop Legacy Folders
This case study describes a two-year pilot program run by the Vermont Farmers Market Association (VTFMA) to help farmers markets create legacy folders to strengthen and support the longevity of the farmers market community.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Consumers, Policymakers, Processors & Distributors, ResearchersBoston’s Good Food Purchasing Policy, Part 2
This case study examines how the Boston's largest food purchaser, Boston Public Schools, has updated its procurement process according to the Good Food Purchasing Policy.
Topic: Business Practices, Farmers Markets Audience: Farmers MarketsFRESHFARM Markets
This case study explores how proactive steps helped an organization implement a mask policy and comply with the Americans with Disability Act during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Topic: Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersThe Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance
This case study examines the Minneapolis Staple Foods Ordinance which requires licensed grocery stores to carry a minimum level of certain staple foods and includes specific requirements for each mandatory category.
Topic: Food Safety, Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, ResearchersHow an Academic Partnership and Community Engagement Helped Design a Food Safety Rating System in Seattle & King County
This case study examines how Seattle and King County developed a food safety rating system that improved inspection quality and consistency, addressed equity concerns, and provided consumers with the food safety information they wanted.
Topic: Healthy Food Access, Urban Agriculture Audience: Community Organizations, ResearchersHow Fort Worth, TX, Is Using Urban Farming to Improve Healthy Food Access & Economic Development
This case study explains how Fort Worth passed an urban agriculture ordinance to allow urban farming, including aquaponics inside a covered structure, in all zoning districts, as a way to improve access to healthy food.
Topic: Healthy Food Access, Urban Agriculture Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersPrince George’s County Food Equity Council
This case study discusses how the Prince George's County Food Equity Council pursued multiple policies to address inequities in the food system associated with food swamps and how they uplifted communities' voices in their work.
Topic: Business Practices, Farmers Markets Audience: Farmers MarketsCapital City Farmers Market
This case study explores how incorporation and insurance can shield against a trip and fall lawsuit.
Topic: Institutional Procurement Policy, Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersBoston’s Good Food Purchasing Policy, Part 1
This case study examines how Boston passed an ordinance that requires city agencies and departments to use a values-based procurement framework, with a strong emphasis on racial and economic justice.
Topic: Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, Policymakers, ResearchersResolution for a Food Secure San Francisco
This case study examines how the city of San Francisco established the Food Security Task Force to collect data and implement improvements to achieve better food security for its residents, and how they passed a Resolution committing to a food secure and hunger free San Francisco.
Topic: Healthy Food Access Audience: Community Organizations, ResearchersHow Siler City, NC, Integrated Healthy Food Access into Pedestrian Planning
This case study examines how Siler City integrated healthy food access into pedestrian planning to improve its infrastructure for pedestrians and ensure that residents were provided safe and convenient access to healthy food opportunities.
Topic: Business Practices, Farmers Markets Audience: Farmers MarketsDurham Farmers Market
This case study explores how carefully crafted market rules supported a market's development.
Topic: Business Practices, Farmers Markets Audience: Farmers MarketsCresent City Farmers Market
This case study explores how a market currency system enabled one market to accept SNAP benefits and credit card payments.
Topic: Business Practices, Farmers Markets Audience: Farmers MarketsWebb City Farmers Market
This case study explores how business structures and market governance decisions built a stronger market.