Creating a Healthy Food Zone Around Schools
Type
Fact Sheet or Infographic
Year
2009
Level
County
State(s)
All States
Policy Areas
Children & Families, Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Education, Food, Health, Public Spaces, Transportation & Mobility
Many schools are surrounded by fast food restaurants, which provide students with easy access to unhealthy foods and undermine schools' efforts to offer nutritious meals. Prohibiting fast food restaurants from locating near schools is one strategy to help reduce childhood obesity and support schools striving to improve students' health. NPLAN has developed a model ordinance that creates a "healthy food zone" by restricting fast food restaurants near schools or other areas children are likely to frequent.