Street Merchants and Public Health

Recent research by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation and the UCLA School of Public Policy indicates how important street vendors and markets are for promoting health.

The RWJF report lauds markets for providing fresh and inexpensive produce to underserved populations. The report says that markets are "a promising way to increase fruit
and vegetable consumption among low-income families," but it also cautions that "limited transportation
alternatives in some urban areas may still hinder many families’ ability to
access farmers’ markets."

Planners and Policy makers need to build on the legislative initiatives discussed in this report, found at:

http://www.rwjf.org/files/research/balance122007.pdf

It is patently clear that sustainability, economic and community development, placemaking and other important goals are served by creating markets. Partnerships should be crafted, including public and private organizations, in enhancing food security and addressing public health by way of public markets.

With regard urban economic development James Rojas Goetz editorialized for planning report about the important role street vendors play in community life. It is ironic that street merchants under attack in LA are seen as one of the city's best tools for addressing a number of public problems. See the report at:

http://www.planningreport.com/tpr/?module=displaystory&story_id=1332&format=html

Instead of attacking opportunity business and government should embrace merchants and street markets for all the uses they bring to cities.